In how many of ways can 5 balls be placed in 3 tins if any number of balls can be placed in any tin? Pick one:  A) 5C4  B) 5P4  C) 54  D) 4^5  E) 3^5
Now, each of the 5 different balls has 3 choices (3 tins to go to), so total # of distribution is 3*3*3*3*3=3^5.   Answer: 3^5.
<result>E</result>
In how many of ways can 5 balls be placed in 3 tins if any number of balls can be placed in any tin?