The question in the image is about calculating the number of possible ways a meal can be ordered from a restaurant menu, considering four groups of items:

1. Main Courses: Beef, Pork Roast, Duck, Quiche (4 options)
2. Vegetables: Peas, Squash, Cauliflower, Eggplant (4 options)
3. Beverages: Coffee, Tea, Milk, Soda, Shakes (5 options)
4. Desserts: Cake, Pie, Sherbet (3 options)

To find the total number of possible meal combinations, you can use the Fundamental Counting Principle, which states that if there are multiple groups, the total number of outcomes is the product of the number of options in each group.

The formula is:

$\text{Total number of ways} = (\text{Number of main courses}) \times (\text{Number of vegetables}) \times (\text{Number of beverages}) \times (\text{Number of desserts})$

Substituting the numbers:

$\text{Total number of ways} = 4 \times 4 \times 5 \times 3 = 240$

Therefore, there are 240 ways a meal can be ordered.

Would you like more details on how the counting principle works or have any further questions on this topic?

Here are 5 related questions you might find interesting:

1. How does the Fundamental Counting Principle apply in probability problems?
2. What is the difference between permutations and combinations, and how do they relate to counting problems?
3. How can you calculate the number of outcomes in a situation where some items are repeated?
4. Can the Fundamental Counting Principle be extended to situations with conditions or restrictions (e.g., no repeated items)?
5. How would the number of meal combinations change if you removed one beverage option?

Tip: When using the Fundamental Counting Principle, always ensure that each group is independent (one choice doesn't affect the others) for the formula to be applicable.