Question

Four students are competing in a race. In how many different combinations could the four students place in the race?

Answer 1

"Combinations" isn't really the right word, because a combination doesn't take order of elements into account, and the outcome of a race certainly does depend on order. "Permutations" would be the correct term.

If 4 students are competing, then the race has

4! = 4 • 3 • 2 • 1 = 24

possible outcomes.