In a cycle race there are 5 persons named as J,K,L,M,N participated for 5 positions so that in how many number of ways can M finishes always before N?

• Say M came first. The remaining 4 positions can be filled in 4! = 24 ways.
  
  Now M came in second. N can finish the race in 3rd, 4th or 5th position. So total ways are 3 x 3! = 18.
  
  M came in third. N can finish the race in 2 positions. 2 x 3! = 12.
  
  M came in second. N can finish in only one way. 1 x 3! = 6
  
  Total ways are 24 + 18 + 12 + 6 = 60.
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