Fundamental Counting Principle Calculator
The fundamental counting principle calculator will help you find out how many options you have for choosing up to ten characteristics of whatever it is you're dealing with.
Total combinations244 × 3 × 2
Stages3
If one more stage doubled it48
Running total
| Stage | Choices | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 | 2 | 24 |
The method
multiply the number of choices at each stage
Why it multiplies
Every choice at one stage can pair with every choice at the next, so the counts multiply rather than add. Four shirts and three trousers give 4 × 3 = 12 outfits, not 7. The growth is exponential in the number of stages, which is why combinatorial totals get large so quickly.