Four contestants representing four different countries advance to the finals of a fencing championship. Assuming all competitors have an equal chance of winning, how many possibilities are there with respect to how a first-place and second-place medal can be awarded?  Choose the correct choice from the following answers.
A) 6  B) 7  C) 12  D) 16  E) 24
Number of ways First-place medal can be awarded to four contestants = 4   Number of ways Second-place medal can be awarded to contestants after awarding First-place medal =3   Therefore number of possibilities = 4 *3= 
<gadget id="calculator">4 *3</gadget>
<output>12</output>
12   Answer: 12
<result>C</result>
Four contestants representing four different countries advance to the finals of a fencing championship. Assuming all competitors have an equal chance of winning, how many possibilities are there with respect to how a first-place and second-place medal can be awarded?