In a race in which five automobiles are entered and tehre are no ties, in how many ways can the first three finishers come in/

there are 5 ways for 1st place, then there would be 4 ways for 2nd place, then 3 ways for third

5*4*3 = 60 different ways

fist on the left goes with the third on the right. second on the left goes with the fourth on the right. third on the left goes with the second on the right. the fourth on the left goes with first on the right