Fundamental Principle of

Counting/ Fundamental
Counting Principle
 Tree Diagram

–a systematic, graphical device that is used

to list all the possible outcomes of a
particular event or activity.
Fundamental Principle of Counting/ Fundamental Counting
Principle

-If one event has m possible outcomes

and a second independent event has n
possible outcomes, then, there are m x n
possible outcomes for the two events
together.
 Examples:
The school cafeteria offers a choice of two Desserts:
main courses (Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Jello (J)
soup of the day) and five desserts (jello,
pudding, sundaes, fruit cups, cookies). How
Pudding (P)
many different lunches could you have?
Sundaes (Su)
Main Course: -Grilled Cheese
Sandwich (G) Fruit Cups (F)
-Soup of the day (S)
Cookies (C)
Progress:
Examples:
Possible lunches:
• GJ Possible lunches:
• GP
• GSU 2 x 5 = 10
• GF
• GC 10 POSSIBLE LUNCH
• SJ
• SP
• SSU
• SF
• SC
EXAMPLE 2:
Bea’s father is an overseas worker. For his pasalubong, he gave Bea 3
blouses (Yellow, Pink, Red) and 2 skirts (Black and White). In how many
ways can Bea wear any of the blouses and skirts that her father gave her?
3 Blouses: Yellow (Y), Pink (P), Red (R)
2 Skirts: Black (B), White (W)

Possible Outcomes:
YB YW PB PW
RB RW

3x2=6
Example 3
Nancy is a sales representative of the DJD Real Estate
Sales. She was given by the company a set of uniforms
consisting 4 blouses, 3 skirts and 2 blazers, all of which
may be combined because of their matching colors. How
many possible outfits can Nancy make with the set of
uniforms?

4 x 3 x 2 = 24
 Your turn!
Lily is trying to decide what to wear. She has shirts
in the following colors: red, purple, and blue, and
she has pants in the following colors: black and
white. How many different outfits can Lily choose
from (assuming she selects one shirt and one pair
of pants)? List all the Possible Outcomes.
Good
day!