There are 5 identical pens and 7 identical books. In how many different ways can a person select at least one object from this set? Choose the correct choice from the following.
A) 11
B) 12
C) 39
D) 47
E) 56
We can select from 0 to 5 pens and from 0 to 7 books.   Thus the total possible ways to select objects is   6*8= 
<gadget id="calculator">  6*8</gadget>
<output>48</output>
48   We must subtract 1 for the case with 0 pens and 0 books.   The answer is 47.
<result>D</result>
There are 5 identical pens and 7 identical books. In how many different ways can a person select at least one object from this set?