8.3. Krosch, Losyash, and Sovunya participated in races. Krosch started first, but during the race, he was overtaken, or he overtook others exactly 12 times. Sovunya started last, but during the race, she was overtaken, or she overtook others exactly 10 times. In what order did the participants finish, given that Losyash finished the race before Krosch?
Solution: Let's number the positions where the Smeshariki are located. Initially, Kros has position 1, Losyash - 2, and Sovunya - 3. When overtaking, the parity of the position number of those involved in the overtaking changes. Therefore, after an even number of overtakes, the parity of the positions of Sovunya and Kros has not changed, and they together occupied both odd positions (first and third). Thus, the Smeshariki either finished in the same order or in reverse order. Since Losyash finished the race before Kros, the order must have changed. Therefore, Sovunya came in first, Losyash - second, and Kros - last.

Comments: This might be a combinatorial solution, but if so, the complete combinatorial process should have been presented. It is not necessary to show that the situation is possible if it has been proven that other options do not work.

Criteria: Only the answer - 0 points.

Answer with verification - 1 point.

Combinatorial scheme, if the combinatorial process is not fully presented - no more than 3 points.