SAT Counting

Correct Answer: D

Solution 1:

Tip: If there are $n$ ways for an event to happen and $m$ ways for another event to happen, then the number of ways for both events to happen is $m\cdot n.$
By the fundamental counting principle, she can combine her outerwear in $4 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 = 16$ ways.

Solution 2:

We could also create a tree diagram, where each branch represents a single choice. We count the number of branches to find out how many combinations there are.

In this case that number is 16.

---

---

Incorrect Choices:

(A)
This is how many hats Maria has.

(B)
You will get this wrong choice if you apply the rule of sum instead of the rule of product and get 2+2+4 = 8, or if you find how many hat-jacket or hat-shawl combinations there are.

(C) and (E)
These answers are just offered to confuse you.

By the multiplication rule, the number of ways is $4 \times 2 \times 2 = \boxed{16}$