how many apples?

chubbs145

How many ways can six identical apples be passed out to nine people if any one of the nine people can choose an unlimited amount of apples?

9^6 = 531,441 ways

Plato

MHF Helper
How many ways can six identical apples be passed out to nine people if any one of the nine people can choose an unlimited amount of apples?
How can six become an unlimited amount?

chubbs145

unlimited such that they can choose any number of apples.

lozts

well order doesn't matter since they are identical apples and repetition is allowed as stated in the question so this is a selection problem...I think you can figure it out from here.

$$\displaystyle (k+(n-1))!/(k!(n-1)!)$$

Plato

MHF Helper
unlimited such that they can choose any number of apples.
But there are only six to begin with. That is nonsense.

lozts

I think he means someone could pick all 6...not really an unlimited amount of apples. At least that's how I interpreted it. (Wondering) Could you clarify?

chubbs145

yes that is correct...sorry for the misunderstanding

lozts

then yes, this is a selection problem.

chubbs145