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?

If 1st team is in uper half then 3 places are left in the same, and four in the other one. 2nd team is not at 2nd place only if 1st and 2nd team are in the same half.In the other half probability is the same, and probability of whre is 1st team, in first or second half, is the same.

(2*3/7)/2=3/7

Posted by Strahinja on 2004-07-10 05:18:16