Browse · MATH
Printjmc
counting and probability intermediate
Problem
How many subsets of the set contain the number 5?
Solution
Solution 1: For each of 1, 2, 3, and 4, we can either choose to include the number in the set, or choose to exclude it. We therefore have 2 choices for each of these 4 numbers, which gives us a total of different subsets we can form.
Solution 2: We can have either 5 by itself, 5 with one other number from the four, 5 with two other numbers, 5 with three other numbers, or 5 with all four other numbers. The number of ways to form a subset with 5 by itself is . The number of ways to form a subset with 5 and one other number is . Similarly, the number of ways to form a subset with 5 and two other numbers is , with three other numbers is , and with all four other numbers is . Thus, our answer is .
Solution 2: We can have either 5 by itself, 5 with one other number from the four, 5 with two other numbers, 5 with three other numbers, or 5 with all four other numbers. The number of ways to form a subset with 5 by itself is . The number of ways to form a subset with 5 and one other number is . Similarly, the number of ways to form a subset with 5 and two other numbers is , with three other numbers is , and with all four other numbers is . Thus, our answer is .
Final answer
16