Answer:
117600
Step-by-step explanation:
50 x 49 x 48 = 117,600 ways
You have 50 possible for 1st, 49 for 2nd, 48 for 3rd
or
Permutations 50P3 = 117,600
There are total 59280 ways that can the runners finish first, second and third in a race.
A permutation is a mathematical technique that determines the number of possible arrangements in a set when the order of the arrangements matters.
[tex]nP_{r} =\frac{n!}{(n-r)!}[/tex]
Where,
[tex]nP_{r}[/tex] is permutation.
n is total number of objects.
r is number of objects selected.
According to the given question
Total number of runners, n = 40
Total number of runners to be selected for first, second and third position is 3 i.e. r = 3
Therefore,
The number of ways can the runners finish the first, second and third is given by
[tex]40P_{3} = \frac{40!}{((40-3)!} =(40)(39)(38)=59280[/tex]
Hence, there are total 59280 ways that can the runners finish first, second and third in a race.
Learn more about Permutation here:
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