Minus' Solution to

The I-Ball Tournament
Posted May 12 - 18, 1997

Since Ethiopia lost the first round, Ethiopia didn't play in the second round.
Australia played in the second round, since they won in the first.
Denmark played in the second round.
Germany played in the second round.
Belgium lost the first round.
Canada played in the second round, but lost.

Australia, Germany, Canada, and Denmark played the second round.
Canada lost the second round against Germany.
The other game of the second round was Australia vs. Denmark.
Since Denmark won at least one game, they would have to have won the second round. Otherwise, if Denmark lost the second round, it would not have won any games, since it was left out in the first round.

The final championship game was Germany vs. Denmark.


Your Solutions

Andrew MacKinlay [andmak@cygnus.uwa.edu.au] won this week's stellar cook-off with his perfect explanation. He even picked-out the red herrings in the question.

We already know that Germany was one of the teams to make it into the championship. Since Denmark didn't play in the first round they get to go straight to the second round. We also know that Denmark won at least one game. So Denmark must have won their match in the second round, meaning they must go on to the championship. Therefore, Denmark and Germany are the teams in the championship.

All the other pieces of information weren't needed to solve the problem. They were just red herrings. Working out the whole table would have been a waste of time, since only the two championship winners were needed to work out the solution to the question.





Allan Rogers, Wilfredo Soto, Jacqueline Matos, of the GED class at Bushwick High School, gave Minus an appetizing accompaniment to this week's dinner menu. 

Rationale, since Germany is in the semi-finals and Denmark wins at least one round, Denmark can play one round and be in the semifinals. Then without anything further, Denmark and Germany are the final two teams to play. Note the other teams positions do fit into the picture as an interesting side issue to deduce.



Paul Levi [paullevi@vianet.net.au] earns the "Most Improved Chef" Award with his delicious explanation. Okay, Mrs. K., you can let Paul off the hook now...

There are 7 countries: A B C D E F and G. We must rule out all except 2. We know that G definitely is one of them, so we can rule out all the ones that played against G - B and C. Then we have to find 1 more from A D E and F. We know E and A both lost 1 game, and we can only have ones that won both games. Out of D and F, we know D didn't play in the first round, and won in the second round. So it is D & G (Denmark and Germany)

*See, Mrs K - I gave an explanation this time!!*



Jack, the reigning math mascot at Scotch College in Western Australia, entertained Minus with his  colour commentary of the tournament. Lookin' for a job, Jack? Ha, ha, ha, just kiddin', Minus, old buddy, old pal...

Ethiopia played Australia in their first game, and the superior Aussies reigned supreme. In other first round clashes, Canada downed Finland, and Belgium lost to Germany. Denmark, with a bye in the first round, came into the second round firing, and beat Australia (it was the umpire's fault). Also in that round, Germany had a win over Canada. It was down to two teams, and Denmark and Germany would play the final championship game.

From Jack the Mathematical Buffalo of Scotch College, Western Australia




Heather, Cassie and Tommy from Discovery School provided us with  solution, plus a prediction for the winner of the final round. Darn, Minus had his money on Germany. Oh, well, no dining out for the next month...

Germany and Belgium played. Out of them Germany went on to the second round.
Australia and Ethiopia played. Australia won.
Canada and Finland played. Canada won.
Germany and Canada played in the second round.Australia and Denmark played their second round. Denmark and Germany won. Denmark won.
Germany was one because the clue says, " Germany is one of the teams that went on to the championships." Australia won their first game and lost their second game. Denmark didn't play the first round. On the second round they won because Australia lost their second round.

So that means that Germany and Denmark played. 'Denmmark won at least one game.' So that means Denmark won.





SHKWEK [lawrasia@cyberway.com.sg] included some Singapore spice to round-out this week's meal. Our hot-headed mascot loves spicy food!

Germany and Denmark entered the championship match!

Germany won the second round match and entered the championship match.
Denmark was the odd team in the first round so they get to the second round.
Denmark won at least one game so that allowed them to go to the championship match.




Our kitchen was full of great cooks who submitted solutions and answers this week. Unfortunately, Minus ran out of room on his menu to feature all of them. Special thanks still goes out to all our fab feeders. (If you submitted an answer that was correct, but can't find your name on this list, it's because we couldn't find your name?!!)

Sara Berg [berg.eb@ncn.net]
Clea [Alcorn@jcu.edu.au]
Chris Matheson from Discovery School
Kevin Martin from Discovery School
Nathaniel Everett from Discovery School
Jefferson Gerwig from Discovery School
Mike Tyner from Discovery School
Carl Owens from Discovery School
Michael Lawson from Discovery School
Tara, Alexis, and Kim from Richmond, Indiana (home of Discovery school!)
Blake Delcanho [delcanho@cyllene.uwa.edu.au]
Greg Weinstein [sydwein@cyllene.uwa.edu.au]
Spock62 (michael) [Spot62@aol.com]
Allison Ciampanella from Iaeger Intermediate School
David Green from Iaeger Intermediate School
Lisa Looney from Iaeger Intermediate School
Bobby Mitchem from Iaeger Intermediate School
Ingrid Scholten a.k.a. "Slater" [ingrid.scholten@flinders.edu.au]
Subajan Sivandran from Scotch College, Western Australia
David Beecham from Scotch College, Western Australia
Ben Dessauvagie from Scotch College, Western Australia
Ben Veale from Scotch College, Western Australia
John Hamersley from Scotch College, Western Australia
Campbell Anderson from Scotch College, Western Australia
Mat James from Scotch College, Western Australia
Andrew Paterson from Scotch College, Western Australia
Chris Donisi from Scotch College, Western Australia
Iceman Tulloch from Scotch College, Western Australia
Edward Briggs from Scotch College, Western Australia
Jin Wei Low from Scotch College, Western Australia
Nik [joginy99@mail.edu.au]



Whew! Looks like it's feast or famine
for ol' Minus! Too bad he doesn't have cheeks
like a chipmunk to store this week's offerings.