Math Word problems

[mwareham47]

Suppose you have a print shop and you need to print 8 copies of a print job. You have four identical printers to work with but there is no way of telling them apart

1. How many different ways can you parcel out the 8 print jobs? (One way to do this would be to send all 8 jobs to one of the printers. Another way to do this is to send 7 jobs to one printer and 1 to another printer).

2. How many different ways can the job be done if you have to ensure that each printer prints at least one copy?

3. Do not just give a numerical answer, but explain how you got your solution.

[Guest]

Suppose you have a print shop and you need to print 8 copies of a print job. You have four identical printers to work with but there is no way of telling them apart

1. How many different ways can you parcel out the 8 print jobs? (One way to do this would be to send all 8 jobs to one of the printers. Another way to do this is to send 7 jobs to one printer and 1 to another printer).

2. How many different ways can the job be done if you have to ensure that each printer prints at least one copy?

3. Do not just give a numerical answer, but explain how you got your solution.

[ljtilmon]

Since there are eight identical print jobs and four identical printers, I would give each printer two of the print jobs to do. I believe this would save time.