Question

How many ways can 7 different runners finish in first, second, and third places in a race?

Answer 1

210

Explanation:

There are 7 * 6 * 5 ways to finish. This is because we have 3 slots:

For 1st place, there are 7 people that could take that place, so we have 7

For 2nd place, there are 6 people, because one person already took 1st, so they cant be second as well.

For 3rd place, there are 5 people, because 2 people already took first and second place, and neither of them can be third then.

So we have:

7*6*5 = 210

Answer 2

210 ways

Explanation:

For 1 st place there are 7 different runners

Now there are only 6 options

For 2nd place there are 6 different runners

Now there are only 5 options

For 3rd place there are 5 different runners

7*6*5