There are 17 appetizers available at a restaurant. From these, Barbara is to choose 12 for her party. How many groups of 12 appetizers are possible?

This is a question of combination. In other words, the question requires determination of number of ways in which 12 appetizers can be chosen form a total of 17 appetizers.

Therefore,

Possible number of 12 groups = 17C12 = 17!/[12! * (17-12) !] = 6188