Losing is Important

[BigGlenntheHeavy]

\(\displaystyle If \ 57 \ contestants \ are \ entered \ in \ a \ single-elimination \ tennis \ tournament,\)

\(\displaystyle how \ many \ matches \ must \ be \ scheduled?\)

 

[wjm11]

It will take 56 matches to eliminate 56 players and leave one remaining -- one would think. ;-)

 

[BigGlenntheHeavy]

\(\displaystyle Correct \ wjm11, \ if \ we \ have \ any \ single \ elimination \ match \ with \ N \ players, \ there\)

\(\displaystyle will \ always \ be \ N-1 \ matches.\)