Question: In a futuristic city, 7 autonomous taxis and 5 delivery drones are to be stationed at 12 distinct pickup points, with each point assigned to exactly one vehicle. How many ways can they be assigned if taxis and drones are distinguishable but pickup points are indistinct in function (only assignment matters)?

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:30:19 +0000

**In a futuristic city, 7 autonomous taxis and 5 delivery drones are to be stationed at 12 distinct pickup points, with each point assigned to exactly one vehicle. How many ways can they be assigned if taxis and drones are distinguishable but pickup points are indistinct in function (only assignment matters)?** As cities evolve into hubs of smart mobility and automated logistics, the seamless integration of diverse transport vehicles is gaining attention—especially communities exploring safer, efficient, and scalable urban transport solutions. The scenario of assigning 7 autonomous taxis and 5 delivery drones to 12 precise locations raises an intriguing logistical puzzle: how many distinct ways can these vehicles be matched to points when vehicle type matters, but location function doesn’t? This question isn’t just theoretical—it reflects the real-world complexity behind designing efficient, autonomous urban ecosystems. With taxis clearly built for passenger transport and drones for rapid package delivery, each vehicle type brings unique capabilities. Yet, in this assignment model, only the pairing of vehicle to pickup point matters—not which point is labeled “main hub” or “north district,” since all pickups are functionally equivalent in purpose. **How Many Configurations Are Possible?**