Problema Solution

The gym is sponsoring a basketball elimination tournament with 16 teams entered. Winners play winners until only one team is left. What is the total number of games that must be played?

Answer provided by our tutors

Assuming there is no tie results we have:

Start: 16 teams

After 1 game there are: 16/2 = 8 teams left

After 2 games there are: 8/2 = 4 teams left

After 3 games there are: 4/2 = 2 teams left

After 4 games there is: 2/2 = 1 team left

The number of games that must be played is 4.