Nine fencers participate in 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 answer.
A) 72
B) 75
C) 81
D) 84
E) 88
9*8= 
<gadget id="calculator">9*8</gadget>
<output>72</output>
72   The answer is 72.
<result>A</result>
Nine fencers participate in 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?