From the letters A, B, C, how many distinct 3-letter arrangements without repetition exist?

• A. 3
• B. 6
• C. 9
• D. 12

Answer: (B)

Arrangements where order matters and you can’t reuse a letter are a permutation without repetition. With three distinct letters and three positions, you have 3 choices for the first position, 2 for the second, and 1 for the third. Multiply to get 3 × 2 × 1 = 6. Examples include ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA. Therefore, there are six distinct 3-letter arrangements.