Pg.381 Problem #54

54) How many ways are there to distribute five indistinguishable objects into three indistinguishable boxes?


  • This problem is very similar to Example 11 on pg 379, so i solved #54 in the same manner.
  • For each way to distribute objects, list the number of objects in the boxes with the box containing the largest number of objects first.


            BOXES 1-3
  • 1st way ----------> {5,0,0}
  • 2nd way ----------> {4,1,0}
  • 3rd way ----------> {3,2,0}
  • 4th way ----------> {3,1,1}
  • 5th way ----------> {2,2,1}
So, 5 ways to distribute 5 indistinguishable objects into three indistinguishable boxes

--Ehanna 12:55, 28 September 2008 (UTC)


This is the same answer i got. You answer is clear and illustrated well. I can easy read the question and see exactly what it is you are trying to answer. Nice work ; A

--ccuriel 21:08, 5 October 2008 (UTC)

I believe this is the right answer Evan. Well I got the same one at least. I also like the way you wrote it out. Keep up the good work champ! --Jahlborn 21:18, 5 October 2008 (UTC)

Alumni Liaison

EISL lab graduate

Mu Qiao