Question

There are 9 squares on a tic tac toe board, In how many different ways can the first 2 moves be made?

Answer 1

Would I just start off with \[9 P 2?\]

Answer 2

The first move can be made in how many ways?

Answer 3

2 ways? so \[9C2\] ?

Answer 4

You are correct. The answer is 9P2 which equals 72.
You can make 9 different moves for the first move.
Then for the second move, there are 8 empty squares, so you can make 8 different second moves.
9 * 8 = 72

Answer 5

Here order matters, so 9P2 is correct.

Answer 6

ahah ohh I thought I was making a mistake in my steps LOL. Thank you! :D

Answer 7

Sorry for confusing you.
You were correct all along.