On English class, each student must select 4 short stories from a list of 5 short stories to read. How many different combinations of short stories could a student read?

Question

anonymous · Answer

You are being asked how many ways are there to select 4 things from 5.  What do you see as the answer?

anonymous · Answer

I did: 
ABCD
BCDE
CDEA
DEAB
EABC

So I think the answer is 5 combinations,

anonymous · Answer

Hint: If you are selecting 4 things, then 1 will be left over.  So, it's the same as asking how many ways are there to have 1 left over?  Just got your answer and it is correct.  There are exactly 5.

anonymous · Answer

Oh great, thank you. Trying to get an A in math this semester.

anonymous · Answer

good luck and thanks for the medal