You have heard the commercial for the restaurant that lets you pick any 3 appetizers, any of the 6 entree items and then a dessert. You have been told there are 72 different meal options. How many desserts are available?

I don't understand how to calculate this. I know how to calculate combinations, but I don't know how to work this specific problem. if you could give me a few steps to get started that would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

1 answer

Let the number of desserts be x
the number of ways to choose a meal would be
(3)(6)(x)
but that is supposed to be 72
18x = 72
x = 72/18 = 4