5 answers
(click or scroll down)
permutations:
nPr = n(n - 1)(n - 2) ... (n - r + 1) = n! / (n - r)!
nPr = n(n - 1)(n - 2) ... (n - r + 1) = n! / (n - r)!
r = 5
nPr = 8!/(8-5)! = ?
8! = "8 factorial" = 8 * 7 * 6* 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1
I hope this helps a little more.
Since each prize is distinct, we can assign one prize to each of the 5 contestants in 8 different ways.
For the first prize, we have 8 choices, for the second prize, we have 7 choices, for the third prize, we have 6 choices, for the fourth prize, we have 5 choices, and for the fifth prize, we have 4 choices.
Therefore, the total number of ways to award the prizes is:
8 * 7 * 6 * 5 * 4 = 8! / (8 - 5)! = 8! / 3! = 8 * 7 * 6 = 336.
In this case, 336 different combinations of awarding the prizes can be made among the 8 contestants.