Space shuttle astronauts each consume an average of 3000 calories per day. One meal normally consists of a main dish, a vegetable dish, and two different desserts. The astronauts can choose from 11 main dishes, 7 vegetable dishes, and 12 desserts. How many different meals are possible?
11 * 7 * 12 * 11
11 is because the deserts have to be different.
To find the total number of different meals that are possible, we need to multiply the number of options for each component: main dish, vegetable dish, and desserts.
First, find the number of options for the main dish, which is 11.
Next, find the number of options for the vegetable dish, which is 7.
Then, find the number of options for desserts, which is 12.
To find the total number of different meals, multiply the number of options for each component:
Total number of different meals = Number of options for main dish * Number of options for vegetable dish * Number of options for desserts
Total number of different meals = 11 * 7 * 12
Calculating this:
Total number of different meals = 924
Therefore, there are 924 different meals possible for the space shuttle astronauts.