Question

Twelve runners are in a cross country race. how many different ways can they finish first, second, and third?

Answer 1

Permutation:

`12P3=1320\;ways`

Answer 2

Number of different ways they can finish first, second and third = 1320

Explanation:

Number of total runners in a cross country race = 12

Number of ways in which we can select the racer who finishes first = 12

Number of ways in which we can select the racer who finishes second = 11

Number of ways in which we can select the racer who finishes third = 10

Now, we need to find the different ways they can finish first, second and third.

So, Required number of total ways = 12 × 11 × 10

= 1320

Thus, Number of different ways they can finish first, second and third = 1320