Lauren is shopping and finds 6 bracelets, 2 pairs of earrings, and 3 necklaces that she likes. how many ways can lauren select 4 pieces of jewelry to buy?

Because it does not specify that she has to choose one or two from each category all pieces of jewelry can be treated as choices in a combination set.

the formula for a combination is



where n is a total number of choices ( 11 ) 
and r is number chosen out of those choices (4)
 so

C(11,4)= \frac{11!}{4!(11-4)!} 

She has 330 possible choices  to come home with 4 pieces of jewelry