tom,jack and joe are the fastest runners in the school.if they race one another,without dead heats,how many combinations can they finish in if they occupy the first 3 places ?
To determine the number of combinations Tom, Jack, and Joe can finish in if they occupy the first 3 places, we can use the concept of permutation.
Permutation refers to the arrangement of objects in a specific order. In this case, we want to find the number of ways Tom, Jack, and Joe can finish in different orders.
Since there are three runners, there are three possible options for the first place, two remaining options for the second place, and one last option for the third place. Therefore, the total number of combinations can be calculated as follows:
Total combinations = 3 options for the first place * 2 options for the second place * 1 option for the third place
Total combinations = 3 * 2 * 1
Total combinations = 6
Hence, there are 6 different combinations in which Tom, Jack, and Joe can finish in if they occupy the first 3 places.