In the Olympic women's skating competition, the gold medal goes to first place, silver to second, and bronze to third. If there are 18 skaters, including 8 Americans, in how many ways can the medals be awarded to three of the 18 skaters?
18 P 3 = 18! / 15! = 4896 ways
18 choices for gold 17 choices for silve 16 choices for bronaze = 18 x 17 x 16 = 4896 ways
Note that the number of Americans is irrelavent.
18 P 3 = 18! / 15! = 4896 ways
18 choices for gold 17 choices for silve 16 choices for bronaze = 18 x 17 x 16 = 4896 ways
Note that the number of Americans is irrelavent.