A machine has $9$ switches. Each switch has $3$ positions. How many different settings are possible? A machine has $9$ switches. Each switch has $3$ positions. 
$(1)$ How many different settings are possible?
Each switch has $3$ different settings and we have $9$ total. So,
$3^9=19,683$
Now, the problem I am facing is what the heck the second part is asking.
$(2)$ Answer $(1)$ if each position is used $3$ times. How would you interpret this? I see it as; if we have a certain position for the $9$ switches, say, ABCABCABC then that position is accounted for $2$ additional times $(3$ times total$)$. Thus, we would multiply part $(1)$ by $3$ because we are simply tripling our possibilities?
Any ideas on how part $(2)$ should be approached would be great!

Hint for 2: How many different words can you spell with the letters AAABBBCCC?
