Question 347639
There is no need for algebra or great thought if you want an answer to this problem. If we take the number of players as X then the answer to the question will always be x-1

So 78 players enter and the answer is 77

If 245 enter the answer is 244.

Think about it from the other end of things rather than from the number of entrants. There can only be 1 Champion so working backwards means x-1 is the answer. Simples!

I appreciate you may have to show algebra to gain marks but therein lies the problem with education. We want to make a mountain out of a molehill, this question is so easy it's crazy but educators want to make it harder!