Data Management (MDM4U) · Counting and Probability

Fundamental Counting Principle

Use the Fundamental Counting Principle to count outcomes across a sequence of independent choices. Unlimited questions, five difficulty levels, and a full worked solution every time — free.

Practice this skill Curriculum: MDM4U-CP2.1

Try one

A shop lets you build your own sundae by picking exactly one option from each category: 4 ice cream flavours, 2 toppings. Using the Fundamental Counting Principle, how many different sundaes are possible?

Answer: 8

See one solved, step by step

A shop lets you build your own sundae by picking exactly one option from each category: 2 ice cream flavours, 6 toppings, 2 sauces. Using the Fundamental Counting Principle, how many different sundaes are possible?

📘 Worked solution

12 · 6 · 2 = 24The Fundamental Counting Principle: if the stages have a, b, c, ... choices, the total number of outcomes is a * b * c * ... multiplied together.

2There are 24 different possible sundaes.That product counts every combination of one choice from each category.

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