How many ways can 2 students choose one baseball card each from 18 baseball cards that are a reward for their hard work?

Question

so confused !!

Answer 1

Let's try this.  One of these students goes first, and has 18 choices. Next, the other student chooses one from the 17 remaining cards.  So let's multiply 18 times 17 to get the answer.

 

Now, I am inclined to think that we should multiply this result by two, because this represents having the other student go first, and this outcome can be different.