The number of different collections of writing utensils could Faruq bring to class if he doesn't want to show up empty-handed is ab + a + b
<h3>How to calculate the different collection of writing utensils?</h3>
Since Faruq has a identical markers, b identical pencils, and no other writing utensils in his locker and we require the number of collections or ways he could bring them to school without coming to school empty-handed, we use combination mathematics since order does not matter.
Now, Faruq can either come to school with one marker and one pencil or one pencil or one marker.
So, the combination for one marker and one pencil is n = a × b = ab
The combination for one marker is n' = a
The combination for one pencil is n" = b
So, the total combination is N = n + n' + n"
= ab + a + b
So, the number of different collections of writing utensils could Faruq bring to class if he doesn't want to show up empty-handed is ab + a + b
Learn more about combination here:
brainly.com/question/25821700
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