Question

how many ways can you make a meal by selecting one item from section of the menu below?
what is the probability that you have chicken, a potato, and a lemonade?

Explanation:

Part 1: Number of meal ways

Step1: Count items per section

Main Course: 5 (Chicken Breast, Chicken Thigh, Steak, Pork Chop, Hamburger); Side: 4 (Baked Potato, Broccoli, Mac & Cheese, Salad); Drink: 4 (Water, Soda, Tea, Lemonade)

Step2: Apply multiplication principle

Total ways = 5 × 4 × 4 = 80

Step1: Count favorable main courses

Chicken items: 2 (Chicken Breast, Chicken Thigh)

Step2: Count favorable sides

Potato item: 1 (Baked Potato)

Step3: Count favorable drinks

Lemonade: 1

Step4: Calculate favorable combinations

Favorable = 2 × 1 × 1 = 2

Step5: Compute probability

Probability = $\frac{2}{80} = \frac{1}{40}$

Answer:

80

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Part 2: Probability calculation