can someone just give me a really basic definition of the fundamental counting principle?

Question

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Counting principle

If you have x items of type A and y items of type B, then there are x*y ways to pick one item of each type.

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

ex: 

A = {red, green, blue}

B = {dog, cat}

So there are 3*2=6 ways to pick a color and an animal, and these 6 combos are:

red,dog
red,cat
green,dog
green,cat
blue,dog
blue,cat

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

This idea can be extended to more than 2 sets

lgbasallote · Answer

...so tempted to say 1 2 3 4 5....

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

yeah they should probably rename the theorem/idea, but oh well

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you are still counting, so it makes sense

anonymous · Answer

lol @lgbasallote :) and thanks again @jim_thompson5910 !

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you're welcome