<PRE><B>Question 178969</B>
A total of 129 players entered a single-elimination handball tournament. In the first round of play, the top seeded player received a bye and the remaining 128 players played in 64 matches. Thus, 65 players entered the second round of play. How many matches must be played to determine the champion.
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Before 1st round: 129 or 64 games
Before 2nd round: 129-(128/2) = 129-64 = 65 or 32 games
Before 3rd round: 65-32 = 33 or 16 games
Before 4th round: 33-16 = 17 or 8 games
Before 5th round: 17-8 = 9 or 4 games
Before 6th round: 9-4 = 5 or 2 games 
Before 7th round: 5-2 = 3
Now they need 3 games to determine a champ
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64 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 3 = 129 games
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Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>