oops...yer right...i was doin permutations...shoulda been divide instead o'
subtract...did it right on the calculator at least :)
but since we can repeat items, i seem to recall that we don't want
combinations or permutations...
any slot could have any of the 13 items, regardless of the other slots, so
we get the slightly less nice number of 13^8=815,730,721
or if we assume, as some have suggested, that it worked with the old 4 slot
toolbox, 13^4=28561 possibilities
that sound right to those with more recent education or more convenient
reference materials?
Xillitil/Povar
>From: Brian Beagle <beaglescout@...>
>
>*digs out the statistics book*
>"I knew that I kept this thing around for some reason. *grin*
>
>They are unorderd (it doesn't matter which slot you place that rat ear at),
>so, they are combinations. Way to go Xillitil.
>
>Formula: nCr = n!/[r!(n-r)!]
> n = items we have to play with (12 here - we think)
> r = the set (8 spots in this case)
>
>But an empty slot counts as an item too, so we need to count an additional
>one for our number of items.
> 13C8 = 13!/[8!(13-8)!]
> = 6,227,020,800 / [40,320(120)]
> = 6,227,020,800 / [4,838,400]
> = 1,287
>
>As you can tell, my professors were big fans of 'Show Your Work'. *grins*
>
>But, at least it isn't some way the heck out there number - thank goodness.
>
>Oh, other factors too, that will decrease our combinations. We know that
>certain items are not useable. ie. We know it will take more than one
>metal rod (or any other given item).
>
>I'm currently working on all listing all those darn combinations. Eww...
>
>It shall be ours soon.
>
>Gnish, Mage of Death
>20th Sacrificial Blade, Bristlebane.
>
>
>
>
> > From: M_Bierce@...
> > Subject: Tinkering of course
> >
> > Hello everyone on this list. I'm new to the list, just signed up today.
> Anyway this is a question for any mathematic wizards out there. We have
>a total of 8 slots in the toolbox and a total of 12 items to use. Does
>anyone know how many combinations that we can come up with? Remember that
>this includes just having 1 item in the box or 2 or 3 etc. etc. Well me
>personally I would just like to know for curiousity sake. And don't worry
>you now have another helping hand in the search for the collapsable fishing
>pole recipie. :)
> >
> > Mike
> > P.S. If we do find it imagine how much it can sell for. :) $$$$$$$$
> >
> > From: "Xillitil of Povar" <xillitil@...>
> > Subject: Re: Tinkering of course
> >
> > uhh...if i remember my math right,8 slots and 13 items(including empty)
> > should be 13! - 5!...ummm...51,891,840 combinations...or is that
> > permutations...and thats assuming we don't use anything less obvious
>like
> > skins or something...
> >
> > guess we won't be doing an exhaustive search anytime soon....
> >
> > Xillitil/Povar
>