If $n$ identical dice are rolled, then the number of possible outcomes are

combinationscombinatoricspermutations

If $n$ identical dice are rolled, then the number of possible outcomes are?

My Approach:

Here, since the number of outcomes are asked, the answer should be $6^n$ since there are 6 options for a dice and it is being rolled $n$ times but I don't understand how we are supposed to use stars and bars here to get the correct answer as ${}_{n+5} \mathrm{ C }_5$

Best Answer

In general , we think that dice are different , so there are $6^n$ different possible outcomes when dice are distinct .

However, when the dice are identical , we only consider that how many different number will appear ,we can do it by stars and bars such that

Assume that the gaps between the bars means numbers on die . For example $$1|2|3|4|5 |6 $$ .Now , if we have $n$ stars , how many ways are there to see possible out comes ?

Answer is $$C(n+6-1, 5)$$ . Because ,we think the arrangements of $n$ identical stars and $5$ identical bars. You can think it like combination with repetition.

For example , if $n=4$ then $*|**|||*|$ means $(1,2,2,5)$ , $|||||****$ means $(6,6,6,6)$

If $n=3$ ,then $||*||*|*$ means $(3,5,6)$