State Badminton Tournament

Case study

You have been charged with the responsibility of organising the State Badminton Tournament that is expected to attract around 256 participants, male and female. Competition is planned to commence at 9:00am each day and continue to 7:00pm for five days.

Competition will take place in four age groups:

Under 16

Under 18

Under 20

Open

You are to assume that each competitor will be playing in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. There will be no additions to the stated 256 competitors however. All competitors must find a partner for doubles and mixed doubles amongst others in their age group.

You have found a suitable venue that has five courts but you are not sure yet how many days you will need to book it. The cost of the venue you are considering is $600 per day.

Task:

1. Assuming that the tournament is a Knockout format and that all competitors will compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, work out how many matches must be played. Competitors will compete only in their age group (Open means 20 and over).