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

So this means five objects into three boxes. It doesn't matter the order so we can count out our possibilities.


1.) 5-0-0

2.) 4-1-0

3.) 3-1-1

4.) 2-2-1

5.) 2-3-0


Now there are only five possibilities due to the fact that everything is indistinguishable. What i have shown is the out comes, all five objects into one box or four in one and one in another. ect


This is correct as far as I know. I really like your style, short and sweet. Though, I don't think you sufficiently explained why the order doesn't matter. Great work though! --Jahlborn 21:24, 5 October 2008 (UTC)

Chris, Jake and I feel that having done this problem, we know that your solution is right and we can follow it. However, you should have written a line or two of reasoning behind your steps 1-5 (as you started to do after your 1-5) and placed them before your steps 1-5. We feel that considering the reader who had not already solved the problem, some explanation to what you were doing with your 1-5 would have been helpful. Minor details--> Abbreviation for the term "Et Cetera" is etc. you goof ball... oh, and outcomes is definitely one word. However, this is not English class and your answer is correct so if I were the grader, I would have a hard time taking any points off. Well done lad. --Ehanna 22:26, 5 October 2008 (UTC)

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