A shipping company has four empty trucks that will head out in the mor

each box have 4 options to place
so 4^4=256

MAGOOSH OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Where we put one box has absolutely no bearing on where we put any of the other boxes. The placement of the four boxes is completely independent of one another. For each box, we have four choices.

N = 4*4*4*4 = 16*16 = 256

Answer = (C)
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Take the task of shipping the 4 boxes and break it into stages.

Let's call the 4 boxes A, B, C and D

Stage 1: Select a truck to ship box A in
There are 4 trucks from which to choose, so we can complete stage 1 in 4 ways

Stage 2: Select a truck to ship box B in
There are 4 trucks from which to choose, so we can complete this stage in 4 ways

Stage 3: Select a truck to ship box C in
There are 4 trucks from which to choose, so we can complete this stage in 4 ways

Stage 4: Select a truck to ship box D in
There are 4 trucks from which to choose, so we can complete this stage in 4 ways

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 4 stages (and thus ship all 4 boxes) in (4)(4)(4)(4) ways (= 256 ways)

Answer: C

Note: the FCP can be used to solve the MAJORITY of counting questions on the GMAT. So, be sure to learn it.

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