In a contest in which 7 contestants are entered, in how many ways can the 5 distinct prizes be awarded?
A) 2520
B) 42
C) 21
D) 84

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is a permutation problem because the order in which the prizes are awarded matters. The formula for permutations is P(n, r) = n! / (n-r)!, where n is the total number of items, and r is the number of items to choose. Here, n = 7 (contestants) and r = 5 (prizes), so P(7, 5) = 7! / (7-5)! = 7! / 2! = (7*6*5*4*3) / (2*1) = 2520.

In a Contest in Which 7 Contestants Are Entered, in How