The difference between the first question and second question lies in position.
In the first question, we're concerned with placing. Say we have ten runners, and the top three runners are Alvin, Simon and Sam.
But if we place the as:
Champ: Alvin
1st Runner up: Simon
2nd Runner up: Sam
It's different from the placing:
Champ:Sam
1st Runner Up:Alvin
2nd Runner up: Simon
Simiarly, this group is different from:
Champ: Simon
1st Runner up: Alvin
2nd Runner up: Sam
In all three scenarios, the top three runners are Alvin, Simon and Sam. But each are different in that we have different placings.
Now consider the second question.
"To fill a number of vacancies, an employer must hire 3 programmers from among 6 applicants, and 2 managers from among 4 applicants. What is the total number of ways in which she can make her selection ?"
If our 6 applicants are:
John, Mary, Simon, Alvin, Sam, Mark
and the eventual three that are hired are John, Mary and Simon, it doesn't matter if John was the first one hired, followed by Mary and finally Simon. Eventually, all we're concerned with is that John Mary and Simon are the new programmers in the company. (Note: The question clearly doesn't require placing)
Similarly, if the 4 applicants for the post of manager are Amy, Anna, Cathy and Ken, and two are hired: Amy and Anna. It doesn't matter if Amy was given the contract first, then Anna. We're only concerned that Amy and Anna are hired.
The fundamental I highlighted here is:
Question 1: Picking a number of items and ordering them (Permutation)
Question 2: Picking a number of items and order doesn't matter (Combination).
Let me know if it's not clear enough
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