There are 22 participants in a spelling bee. In how many ways can the top 5 participants finish? Use the formula for permutations to find your answer.

Because the top five places are ordered, use a permutation: 22P5 = 22 × 21 × 20 × 19 × 18. Multiplying gives 3,160,080 possible finishes, so the answer is C, 3,160,080.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.