Math Problem Statement

How many solutions (x, y, z, w) ∈ N^0 of non-negative integers are there for the equation x + y + z + w = 15?

Solution

The image contains a combinatorics problem asking how many solutions exist for the equation x+y+z+w=15x + y + z + w = 15, where x,y,z,wN0x, y, z, w \in \mathbb{N}_0, meaning that they are non-negative integers.

This type of problem is solved using the stars and bars theorem, which gives the number of ways to distribute nn identical items into kk distinct groups, where each group can contain zero or more items.

Problem setup:

We need to solve the equation x+y+z+w=15x + y + z + w = 15 in non-negative integers, which is equivalent to distributing 15 identical "stars" into 4 groups (corresponding to xx, yy, zz, and ww).

Formula:

The number of solutions to the equation x1+x2++xk=nx_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_k = n, where x1,x2,,xkN0x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_k \in \mathbb{N}_0, is given by: Number of solutions=(n+k1k1)\text{Number of solutions} = \binom{n+k-1}{k-1} In this case, n=15n = 15 and k=4k = 4, so the number of solutions is: (15+4141)=(183)\binom{15+4-1}{4-1} = \binom{18}{3}

Now, I'll compute (183)\binom{18}{3}.The number of solutions to the equation x+y+z+w=15x + y + z + w = 15 in non-negative integers is (183)=816\binom{18}{3} = 816.

Thus, the correct answer is 816\boxed{816}.

Would you like further details or have any additional questions?

Here are five related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How would the solution change if some variables were restricted to positive integers?
  2. What is the stars and bars theorem, and why does it apply here?
  3. How would the solution differ if there were only 3 variables?
  4. Can this method be used for equations with upper bounds on the variables?
  5. How does this approach relate to partitions of integers?

Tip: In combinatorics, problems involving distributing objects into bins often use the "stars and bars" theorem, which is key when dealing with non-negative integer solutions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Combinatorics
Algebra

Formulas

Stars and Bars Theorem: Number of solutions to x1 + x2 + ... + xk = n is C(n+k-1, k-1)

Theorems

Stars and Bars Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12