A certain restaurant offers 8 different salads, 5 different main cours

Question

A certain restaurant offers 8 different salads, 5 different main courses, 6 different desserts. If customers choose one salad, one main course and two different desserts for their meal, how many different meals are possible?

A. 120
B. 240
C. 480
D. 600
E. 1200

Kudos for a correct solution.

A. 120
B. 240
C. 480
D. 600
E. 1200

BrentGMATPrepNow · Accepted Answer

Take the task of creating a meal and break it into   stages  .

Stage 1 : Select 1 salad 
There are 8 different salads from which to choose, so we can complete stage 1 in  8  ways

Stage 2 : Select 1 main course
There are 5 different main courses from which to choose, so we can complete stage 2 in  5  ways

Stage 3 : Select 2 different desserts
Since the order in which we select the desserts does not matter, we can use combinations. 
We can select 2 desserts from 6 desserts in 6C2 ways (15 ways)
So, we can complete stage 3 in  15  ways

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP), we can complete all 3 stages (and thus create a meal) in  (8)(5)(15)  ways (= 600 ways)

Answer: D

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

RELATED VIDEOS
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5d5bvCRyd4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05a0A7vjG8I

ynaikavde · Answer

In order to select x things from group of n things can be written as nCx

8C1*5C1*6C2= 8*5*15=600 answer is D

LaxAvenger · Answer

8c1 * 5c1 * 6c2 = 8*5*15 = 600

Answer D

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

One salad can be chosen in 8C1 = 8 ways One main course can be chosen in 5C1 = 5 ways Two desserts can be chosen in 6C2 = 15 ways Total number of ways = 8*5*15 = 600 Hence option D. -- Optimus Prep's GMAT On Demand course for only $299 covers all verbal and quant. concepts in detail. Visit the following link to get your 7 days free trial account: https://www.optimus-prep.com/gmat-on-demand-course

Bunuel · Answer

MAGOOSH OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

To count the number of meals, we have to count the possibilities for the three components, and then, according to the  Fundamental Counting Principle , we multiply. For more on the FCP, see  this blog .

For salads, there are 8 possibilities. Done.

For main courses, there are 5 different possibilities. Done.

For desserts, there are 6 choices, but we pick two different choices. This would be 6C2. To calculate this, we can use  the shortcut , nC2 = (n*(n-1))/2.

6C2 = (6*5)/2 = 15

So, there are 15 combinations of two different desserts.

For the number of meals, we multiply 8*5*15. We know 8*5 = 40. Then, we need 40*15. Well, 4*15 = 60, so 40*15 must be 600.

Answer = (D)

rhine29388 · Answer

Salad can be choosen in 8C1 ways
Main Course can be choosen in 5C1 ways
Desserts can be choosen in 6C2 ways
Therefore answer will be product which is as follows
8C1*5C1*6C2=8*5*15=600

Hence Answer-D

JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

The number of meals is:

8C1 x 5C1 x 6C2 = 8 x 5 x (6 x 5)/2! = 8 x 5 x 15 = 600

Answer: D

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

A certain restaurant offers 8 different salads, 5 different main cours

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

A certain restaurant offers 8 different salads, 5 different main cours

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards