Question

The account executive of a brokerage firm has recommended that one of her customers consider stock from five aerospace companies, three energy development companies, and four electronics companies. After some research, the customer has decided to purchase shares in the stocks of two aerospace companies, two energy development companies, and two electronics companies. In how many ways can the investor select the group of six companies for the investment from the recommended list of five aerospace companies, three energy development companies, and four electronics companies

Answer 1

180 ways

Explanation:

Aerospace companies (A) = 5

Energy development companies (D) = 3

Electronics companies (E) = 4

Number of aerospace stocks bought (a) = 2

Number of Energy development stocks bought (d) = 2

Number of Electronics stocks bought (e) = 2

The number of ways that the investor can select his six investments from the recommended list is given by the combination of picking two out five aerospace companies, multiplied by picking two out three energy development companies, multiplied by picking two out four electronics companies:

`n=(5!)/((5-2)!2!)*(3!)/((3-2)!2!)*(4!)/((4-2)!2!)\\ n=10*3*6\\n=180\ ways`

There are 180 ways for the investor to select the six companies.