There are 14, 539 competitors taking part in a
single-elimination chess tournament. How many games need to be played to
find the winner? (In the case of a stalemate or a draw, the winner is decided
by the toss of a coin.)

Question

There are 14, 539 competitors taking part in a
single-elimination chess tournament. How many games need to be played to
find the winner? (In the case of a stalemate or a draw, the winner is decided
by the toss of a coin.)

anonymous · Answer

Can you please explain to me what single elimination is?

mathmagician · Answer

the one, who wins the game, stays in the tournament and the one who loses is eliminated

anonymous · Answer

Okay. So it'll be like played in rounds?

mathmagician · Answer

yes, and the winner of tournament must in all games with no losses

anonymous · Answer

And we're assuming the match list,as in who plays against whom is decided?

mathmagician · Answer

yes

mathmagician · Answer

so, still no answer? :)

anonymous · Answer

Thinking. Getting 14538. Something's wrong there. I think.

mathmagician · Answer

your answer is good. Since there is only one winner of tournament, 14538 players must be eliminated.And this requires 14538 games to be played :)

anonymous · Answer

Yes.
It's correct? Haha. Good question. :) Confused me for a bit there.