Problem 58

Question

Solve by the method of your choice. A book club offers a choice of 8 books from a list of \(40 .\) In how many ways can a member make a selection?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The number of ways a member can make a selection of 8 books from a list of 40 is given as the evaluated value of \(C(40, 8)\).
1Step 1: Identify the Parameters for the Combination Formula
Here, the total number of books (\(n\)) is 40 from which a member needs to make a choice of 8 books (\(r\)).
2Step 2: Apply the Combination Formula
Using the combination formula \(C(n, r) = \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}\), we substitute \(n = 40\) and \(r = 8\). The calculation becomes: \(C(40, 8) = \frac{40!}{8!(40-8)!}\).
3Step 3: Calculate the Factorials
Solve \(40!\), \(8!\), and \((40-8)!\) to get the respective values.
4Step 4: Substitute the Factorial Values Into the Formula
Substitute the calculated factorial values into the combination formula. Therefore, \(C(40, 8)\) equals the calculated value.
5Step 5: Evaluate the Expression
Perform the calculations in the numerator and the denominator, and then divide to evaluate the expression, thus obtaining the final answer.