This is permutation problem, not a combination problem. Here is why: The women are W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, W8 Think of them lined up in that order. Not only do you just choose 8 of the 12 men to dance with these 8 women, but you have to place them in a certain order with these women. So the answer is 12P8, or 19,958,400. [Your answer would have been correct if they weren't dancing but were just forming a committee of 16 with 8 men and 8 women.] Edwin