Answer :
Total number of ways to make a pair:
The first player can be any one of 7 . For each of those . . .
The opponent can be any one of the remaining 6 .
Total ways to make a pair = 7 x 6 = 42 ways .
BUT ... every pair can be made in two ways ... A vs B or B vs A .
So 42 'ways' make only (42/2) = 21 different pairs.
If every pair plays 2 matches, then (21 x 2) = 42 total matches will be played.
Now, is that an elegant solution or what !
The first player can be any one of 7 . For each of those . . .
The opponent can be any one of the remaining 6 .
Total ways to make a pair = 7 x 6 = 42 ways .
BUT ... every pair can be made in two ways ... A vs B or B vs A .
So 42 'ways' make only (42/2) = 21 different pairs.
If every pair plays 2 matches, then (21 x 2) = 42 total matches will be played.
Now, is that an elegant solution or what !
