If $f:\{1,2,3,4\} \to \{a, b, c, \dots z\}$, how do I determine the amount of functions if $f(1) = f(2)$, or $f(3) = f(4)$ or $f(1)\neq f(3)$?
From what I know I believe:
$A$: $\ $ $f(1) = f(2)$
$B$: $\ $ $f(3) = f(4)$
$C$: $\ $ $f(1) \neq f(3)$
Therefore we use the product rule?:
$A$ = $26 \times 26 \times 26$ (Since we really only have 3 variables)
$B$ = $26 \times 26 \times 26$ (Same as before)
$C$ = $26 \times 26 \times 25 \times 26$ (Because $f(3)$ has one less choice)
It's here that I'm not sure which direction to go, I suspect that I need to make an intersection of $A$, $B$ and $C$. If I am trying to create an intersection of $A$, $B$ and $C$ would
$A \cap B \cap C = 26 \times 25$?
Since $f(1)$ has 26 choices and $f(2) = f(1)$, $f(3)$ has 25 choices because it can't equal $f(1)$ and $f(4) = f(3)$?