In a basketball tournament, there are teams named 1 through 8, such that a lower number team is better than a higher numbered team. (1 is best, 2 is second best... 8 is worst) Also, a better team will always win over a worse team. (There are no upsets)

?-\__
?-/  |
     |--\
?-\__|  |
?-/     |
        |-WINNER
?-\__   |
?-/  |  |
     |--/
?-\__|
?-/

Here is the grid for the tournament

If the better team always wins (there are no upsets) and if the pairing is completely random, what is the easiest way to figure the probability that team 2 doesn't win second place?

answer: 3/7
ASSIGN TEAM 1 TO ANY INITIAL PLACE/ for team 2
THERE SEVEN PLACES POSSIBLE- THREE OF THEM PRECLUDE TEAM 2 TO CONTINUE
qed
ady

Posted by Ady TZIDON on 2004-06-15 06:11:39