Question

there are 4 swimmers in a race. there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize awarded. In how many different ways can the prizes be awarded?

Answer 1

From the problem we will have that:

$\begin{gathered} _4P_3=\frac{4!}{(4-3)!}\Rightarrow_4P_3=\frac{24}{(1)} \\ \\ \Rightarrow_4P_3=24 \end{gathered}$

There will be 24 possible ways to award the 3 prizes between 4 people.