In a race with 11 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 one
A) 35  B) 120  C) 720  D) 990  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 11 choices ,for silver 10 remain (one who got gold cannot be given silver) and for bronze 9 choices remain.   So total possibilities=11*10*9= 
<gadget id="calculator">11*10*9</gadget>
<output>990</output>
990   Correct answer 990=990
<result>D</result>
In a race with 11 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?