Answer:
The ranking of the top three teams could occur in 720 ways.
Step-by-step explanation:
The order in which the teams are ranked is important, that is, for example, Oilers, Flames and Canucks is a different outcome of Oilers, Canucks and Flames. This means that the permutations formula is used to solve this question.
Permutations formula:
The number of possible permutations of x elements from a set of n elements is given by the following formula:
[tex]P_{(n,x)} = \frac{n!}{(n-x)!}[/tex]
In how many ways could the ranking of the top three teams occur?
Three teams from a set of 10. So
[tex]T = P_{(10,3)} = \frac{10!}{7!} = 720[/tex]
The ranking of the top three teams could occur in 720 ways.
