In a race with 9 competitors, the first-place finisher receives a gold medal, the second-place finisher receives a silver medal, and the third-place finisher receives a bronze medal. If there are no ties, in how many different ways may these three medals be awarded?  Choose the correct choice from the following choices:
A) 35  B) 120  C) 504  D) 840  E) 604,800
Well in this case since there are 3 positions and they can be taken by 3 persons only ,so order matters over here .For gold there are 9 choices ,for silver 8 remain (one who got gold cannot be given silver) and for bronze 7 choices remain.   So total possibilities=9*8*7   504orrect answer 504=504
<result>C</result>
In a race with 9 competitors, the first-place finisher receives a gold medal, the second-place finisher receives a silver medal, and the third-place finisher receives a bronze medal. If there are no ties, in how many different ways may these three medals be awarded?