Question: A robot is programmed to visit 5 different stations in a factory, but it must visit exactly 3 of them in a single run. If the order of visiting these stations matters, how many different routes can the robot take?

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:27:06 +0000

**How Many Paths Can a Factory Robot Take? Exploring Routing Complexity** In an era where automation and efficiency dominate industrial conversations, a seemingly simple question stirs curiosity: *If a robot visits 5 distinct factory stations but must choose exactly 3 in a specific sequence, how many unique routes are possible?* This isn’t just a math puzzle—it reflects how smart systems manage logistics, scheduling, and real-time decision-making today. With U.S. manufacturers increasingly adopting automation, understanding these routing dynamics offers insight into smarter operations and workforce innovation. At first glance, the problem might seem straightforward: pick 3 out of