A builder of modular homes would like to impress his potential customers with variety of styles of his houses. For each house there are blueprints for 3 different living rooms, 4 different bedroom configurations and 2 different garage styles. In addition, the outside can be finished in cedar shingles or brick. How many different houses can be designed from these plans?

To calculate the total number of different houses that can be designed from these plans, we need to multiply the number of options for each feature. There are 3 different living rooms, 4 different bedroom configurations, and 2 different garage styles. Therefore, there are 3 x 4 x 2 = 24 different combinations of living rooms, bedroom configurations, and garage styles. In addition, the outside can be finished in cedar shingles or brick. This means that each of the 24 combinations can be finished in either cedar shingles or brick. Therefore, the total number of different houses that can be designed from these plans is 24 x 2 = 48. Therefore, there are 48 different houses that can be designed from these plans.