The number of ways in which 17 apples can be distributed among four guests such that each guest gets at…

The number of ways in which 17 apples can be distributed among four guests such that each guest gets at least 3 apples is
  1. 1140
  2. 336
  3. 36
  4. 56

Solution

Required number of ways $=$ Coeff. of $x^{17}$ in $\left(x^3+x^4 \ldots\right)^4$ $=\text { Coeff. of } x^5 \text { in }\left(1+x+x^2 \ldots\right)^4$
Coeff. of $x^5$ in $(1-x)^{-4}={ }^8 \mathrm{C}_5=\frac{8 \times 7 \times 6}{3 \times 2 \times 1}=56$

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2024 (20 May Shift 2)

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