Answer :
Since we have 4 different salads, 3 different main courses, and 6 different desserts, to calculate the total amount of combinations let's start by fixing 1 salad and 1 main course. If we have one salad and one main course, we have 6 different combinations(one with each different dessert). If we keep this choosen salad, we have 6 different combinations for each main courses, therefore, for each salad we have 6 times 3 combinations for each meal. Since we have 4 meals, we have 4 times 6 times 3 combinations in total.
The total amount of distinct combinations is given by the product of all quantities.
[tex]4\cdot3\cdot6=72[/tex]We have 72 differents meals for $3.98.