Answer:
Hello! I'm here to help you with your question. To answer your question, we need to use combinatorial mathematics. In a race with six automobiles and no ties, the first three finishers can come in $6 \times 5 \times 4 = 120$ different ways.
Here's the calculation:
1. The first car can finish in any of the six positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, ..., 6th). There are 6 choices for the first car.
2. The second car can finish in any of the remaining positions (4th, 5th, 6th). There are 6 choices for the second car.
3. The third car can finish in any of the remaining positions (5th, 6th). There are 3 choices for the third car.
Therefore, the total number of ways the first three finishers can come in is:
6 x 6 x 3 = 120
So, there are 120 different ways the first three finishers can come in.
Explanation: