American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What is the maximum number of color combinations that can be obtained from 5 fluorochromes?

1. 16

2. 31

3. 25

4. 20

The correct answer is: 31

To determine the maximum number of color combinations that can be obtained from 5 fluorochromes, consider that each fluorochrome can either be present or absent in a combination. This binary choice results in combinations where any number from 0 to all 5 fluorochromes can be used. Mathematically, this can be illustrated as follows: - For each fluorochrome, there are 2 possibilities: it can be included in the combination or it can be excluded. - Therefore, for 5 fluorochromes, the total combinations can be calculated using the formula for combinations which states that the number of combinations is equal to \( 2^n \), where \( n \) represents the number of items (in this case, fluorochromes). Calculating this gives: \( 2^5 = 32 \) However, one of those combinations includes the scenario where no fluorochromes are used at all (the empty combination), which doesn't provide useful information in terms of color combinations. Thus, you subtract that one combination from the total, leading to: 32 (total combinations) - 1 (empty combination) = 31 This indicates that with 5 fluorochromes, you can achieve a maximum of 31 different