Answer:
<u>A total of 200 different three-course meals.</u>
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Let's review the information provided to us to answer the question correctly:
Number of appetizers = 4
Number of soups = 5
Number of main courses = 5
Number of desserts = 4
Diet restrictions you need to choose between a dessert and an appetizer. (You cannot have both.)
2. Given this restriction, how many three-course meals are possible.
Let's find the number of possible three-meals with appetizers, as follows:
4 appetizers * 5 soups * 5 main courses = 100
Now, let's find the possible three-meals with desserts:
5 soups * 5 main courses * 4 desserts = 100
<u>Because they're mutually exclusive, we sum for a total of 200 different three-course meals.</u>