Total number of teams that play the world cup = \(12\) teams
One important formula used in solving is \({ }^{n} C_{r}=\frac{n !}{r !(n-r) !}\)
All \(12\) teams are divided into two groups. In one group we have \(6\) teams and \(2\) teams will play one match. So, for two groups having \(6\) teams. Putting \(n = 6\) and \(r = 2\), we get:
Matches in the first round:
\(={ }^{6} C_{2}+{ }^{6} C_{2}\)
\(=\frac{6 !}{4 ! 2 !}+\frac{6 !}{4 ! 2 !}\)
\(=\frac{6 \times 5 \times 4 !}{4 ! 2 !}+\frac{6 \times 5 \times 4 !}{4 ! 2 !}\)
\(=15+15\)
\(=30\)
From each group three top teams will qualify for the next round and each team will play against another one. So, we have only \(6\) teams left after the first round and \(2\) teams will play a match. By using combination formula and putting \(n = 6\) and \(r = 2\), we get:
Match in the second round:
\(={ }^{6} C_{2}\)
\(=\frac{6 !}{4 ! 2 !}\)
\(=\frac{6 \times 5 \times 4 !}{4 ! 2 !}\)
\(=15\)
We get top \(4\) from this round where each team will play against the other three. Now, putting \(n = 4\) and \(r = 2\) in combination formula, we get:
Matches in the semi finals:
\(={ }^{4} C_{2}\)
\(=\frac{4 !}{2 ! 2 !}\)
\(=\frac{4 \times 3 \times 2 !}{2 ! 2 !}\)
\(=6\)
Final is best of three so if one team wins the first match and second match then there will not be a third match. Hence, the minimum number of matches are:
The total number of matches = Matches in the first round + Matches in the second round + Matches in the semi finals round + \(2\) matches in finals
Total number of matches \(=30+15+6+2=53\)