Last visit was: 16 Sep 2026, 11:10 It is currently 16 Sep 2026, 11:10
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,057
Own Kudos:
20,420
 [5]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,057
Kudos: 20,420
 [5]
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 15 Sep 2017, 02:04
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

25% (medium)

Question Stats:

67% (01:02) correct 33% (00:50) wrong based on 173 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
[GMAT math practice question]

If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions present, vice-present, and secretary, how many such ways are possible?

A. 56
B. 70
C. 240
D. 336
E. 1680
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
D
User avatar
broall
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Oct 2016
Last visit: 07 Apr 2021
Posts: 1,131
Own Kudos:
7,576
 [1]
Given Kudos: 65
Status:Long way to go!
Location: Viet Nam
Posts: 1,131
Kudos: 7,576
 [1]
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 15 Sep 2017, 05:04
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions present, vice-present, and secretary, how many such ways are possible?

A. 56
B. 70
C. 240
D. 336
E. 1680
Show more

Choose for present position: 8 ways.
Choose for vice-present position: 7 ways
Choose for secretary position: 6 ways.

Total possible ways: 8 * 7 * 6 = 336 ways. Answer D
User avatar
Poorvasha
User avatar
Joined: 11 Jun 2017
Last visit: 17 Apr 2026
Posts: 56
Own Kudos:
120
 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Posts: 56
Kudos: 120
 [1]
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 15 Sep 2017, 12:20
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
No of possibilities when 3 people are selected out of 8 = 8C3 = 56
Now further, the positions can be arranged in 3! ways = 56*3! = 336 (D)
User avatar
niks18
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Last visit: 30 Jun 2021
Posts: 859
Own Kudos:
1,830
Given Kudos: 54
Location: India
GPA: 3.82
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 859
Kudos: 1,830
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 15 Sep 2017, 12:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions present, vice-present, and secretary, how many such ways are possible?

A. 56
B. 70
C. 240
D. 336
E. 1680
Show more

Can be solved through Combination, however this is an arrangement question where 8 people need to be arranged in 3 positions.
Hence \(8_P_3\) \(=336\)

Option D
User avatar
generis
User avatar
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Last visit: 18 Jun 2022
Posts: 5,255
Own Kudos:
38,032
Given Kudos: 9,464
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,255
Kudos: 38,032
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 15 Sep 2017, 13:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions present, vice-present, and secretary, how many such ways are possible?

A. 56
B. 70
C. 240
D. 336
E. 1680
Show more
Order matters. President is like first prize, vice-president is like second prize, and secretary is like third prize.

It's a permutation (or use FCP because there are three slots, and 8*7*6 possibilities).

\(_{n}P_{k} = \frac{n!}{(n - k)!}\)

\(_8P_3 = \frac{8*7*6*(5!)}{(5!)}\) = 336

ANSWER D

**Long version

\(_8P_3 = \frac{8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1}{5*4*3*2*1}\) = 336
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,057
Own Kudos:
20,420
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,057
Kudos: 20,420
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 17 Sep 2017, 18:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
=>

8P3 = 8 x 7 x 6 = 336

Ans: D
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 16 Sep 2026
Posts: 22,742
Own Kudos:
26,988
 [1]
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,742
Kudos: 26,988
 [1]
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 20 Sep 2017, 15:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions present, vice-present, and secretary, how many such ways are possible?

A. 56
B. 70
C. 240
D. 336
E. 1680
Show more

The order of selection is important in this scenario, so this is a permutation problem. The number of ways to select 3 people from 8 for the given positions is 8P3 = 8!/(8-3)! = 8 x 7 x 6 = 336 ways.

Answer: D
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 39,226
Own Kudos:
1,160
Posts: 39,226
Kudos: 1,160
If 3 persons are selected at random from 8 persons for 3 positions pr 18 Aug 2024, 08:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderator:
Bunuel
Math Expert
113589 posts