PLEASE HELP!
A race including 12 finalists is conducted at a school. Prizes for the first 3 places are awarded. How many different outcomes are there?

Question

PLEASE HELP! 
A race including 12 finalists is conducted at a school. Prizes for the first 3 places are awarded. How many different outcomes are there?

anonymous · Answer

12*3 to get your answer

directrix · Answer

>> 12*3 to get your answer is incorrect. @qdbug

anonymous · Answer

i wasnt positive to start with its been 4 years sorry

directrix · Answer

And, remember to give an explanation rather than doling out answers. The OpenStudy Code of Conduct prohibits that. http://openstudy.com/code-of-conduct @qdbug

directrix · Answer

@helpmath123 

There are 12 competitors for the first three places.

There are, then, 12 ways to select a lst place winner.
Once that is done, there are 11 choices for the 2nd place winner.
Likewise, 10 choices for the 3rd place winner.

By the Fundamental Principle of Counting, there are:

12* 11 * 10 = ? different outcomes.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks for explaining it to me! @Directrix

directrix · Answer

You are welcome.