Question

Probability!
Given the letters H, L, Q, R, and S, how many different possible 5-letter words can you make? (Note: The words do not have to be actual English words.)
I'm a little confused, correct me if I'm wrong but, I could just multiply 5 by 5 which is 25, so 25 possible 5-letter words, right?

Answer 1

i believe this is a question of permutations

Answer 2

It's got to do with Counting Principles.

Answer 3

5*5*5*5*5

Answer 4

Oh to the power of 5.

Answer 5

if the letters cannot be reused, it would be 5!

Answer 6

as in 5 factorial

Answer 7

No it wouldnt be 5! unless it states it needs to use all of the letters in a word such as you cannot write HHHHH, GGGGG

Answer 8

Luke, but, how come it's to the power of 5? ..
Don't understand that, 5^5

Answer 9

BTW if anyone is wondering, 5 factorial is written as 5! and it means 5*4*3*2*1

Answer 10

thats why i said if letters could not be reused, but yea 5^5 would be correct

Answer 11

I'm getting to that soon, so you actually helped more haha. :D

Answer 12

ryuu because you have 5 possibilities for each letter and each space.
HLQRS
You can use a different letter first every time, so you can write
5 options, 5 options, 5 options, 5 options, 5 options

Answer 13

It would make a lot more sense if it said you CANNOT use one letter to make a word because then it would be 5! as you have to only make 5 letter words using all of the letters.

Answer 14

If you want me to illustrate it I will so it makes more sense

Answer 15

I see.. so for example this problem would be the same?
What is the size of the sample space for all the outcomes possible from rolling 6 dice?
I put 6^6 which is 46,656. I guessed though.. lol

Answer 16

If it's no trouble for you i'd appreciate that, otherwise i may confuse myself somewhere.

Answer 17

http://sketchtoy.com/55496824

Answer 18

http://sketchtoy.com/55496842

Answer 19

I see. The problem I mentioned above would be the same right?

Answer 20

Right so it would be 5^5 because it never says in the instructions whether or not you can repeat letters, assuming you can, 5 options for every space, 5^5=3125

Answer 21

I see, thank you for the help. :)

Answer 22

:-) Anytime