Twelve students complete in a race. In how many ways first three prizes be given?

Number of competitors in the race = 12

Number of  competitors who can come first in the race = 12

Number of  competitors who can come second in the race = 11    (as one competitor has already come first in the race)

Number of  competitors who can come third in the race = 10

$\therefore$ Total number of ways of awarding the first three prizes $=12 \times 11 \times 10=1320$