Answer:
55,440 ways
Step-by-step explanation:
In this situation, since the bonuses are different, the order of the sales reps receiveing the bonus matters, thus permutations should be used.
The number of ways to pay the bonuses in office A (pick 3 out of 12) is:
[tex]A=\frac{12!}{(12-3)!} =12*11*10 = 1,320\ ways[/tex]
The number of ways to pay the bonuses in office B (pick 2 out of 7) is:
[tex]B=\frac{7!}{(7-2)!} =7*6 =42\ ways[/tex]
Considering both offices, the number of ways to pay out the bonuses is:
[tex]N= A*B = 1320*42\\N=55,440\ ways[/tex]