In the school cafeteria, students choose their lunch from 3 sandwiches, 3 soups, 4 salads, and 2 drinks.
How many different lunches are possible for a student who chooses exactly 1 sandwich, 1 soup, 1 salad, and 1 drink?
The student can choose any one of 3 sandwiches. For each of those . . . He can choose any one of 3 soups. For each of those . . . He can choose any one of 4 salads. For each of those . . . He can choose either one of 2 drinks.
Total possibilities = (3 x 3 x 4 x 2) = 72 different lunches.
