The answer to this is 3^5

Explanation: 1st Letter can be posted in any of the 3 mailboxes, 2nd letter can also be posted in
any of the 3 Mailboxes and so on...

```
         so, total possible ways=3*3*3*3*3

```

I understood this explanation, but;

My Doubt: **Why is the answer not 5^3 ?**
I mean, any of the 5 letters can be posted in 1st Mailbox, similarly, any of the 5
letters can be posted in 2nd Mailbox, same goes for 3rd Mailbox.

```
         so, total possible ways= 5*5*5

```

**Where am I going wrong?**

**For the given case:** Find the total no. of ways in which a 3 digit number can be formed
with the digits- 2,4,9,8,5 , given repetition of digits is allowed.

Here, the unit's place has 5 choice of numbers, similarly the tens place has 5 choices and so on.

```
        so, total ways=5*5*5

```

**If this is correct, then why in the above original question, this method or logic is not available?**

I am new to this, please explain where I am going wrong? What i am missing?

**NOTE: I know this question is already asked in the community before, but my doubt , which I have discussed, is not addressed anywhere, Please dont mark as DUPLICATE**