Question

A total of 28 students have entered a spelling contest. There are 6 medals for first through sixth place will be awarded. In how many different ways can the medals be awarded?

A. 178,340
B. 376,740
C. 271,252,800
D. 96, 860

(I am terrible at probability questions.)

Answer 1

This is a permutation / combination problem.

For the 1st position there are 28 possibilities.

For the 2nd position there will be 27 possibilities left.

For the 3rd position there will be 26 possibilities left.

For the 4th position there will be 25 possibilities left.

For the 5th position there will be 24 possibilities left.

For the 6th position there will be 23 possibilities left.

Total = 28*27*26*25*24*23 = 271,252,800

C. 271,252,800