They can only choose one place, so it can only be Chinese, Mexican, or fast food. Therefore, we can add each one up to get $$9+3+2 = 14$$.  ~ 
Mike and Sara are looking for a place to eat lunch. They know there are nine Chinese restaurants, three Mexican restaurants, and two fast food restaurants nearby. How many different choices do they have in total to eat one meal? 
(1) $$9$$ 
(2) $$54$$ 
(3) $$27$$ 
(4) $$18$$ 
(5) $$14$$ 