Final answer:
The MLB playoffs graph is a discrete binary tree bracket that reduces the number of teams by half each round until a champion is crowned. It is a discrete graph since it represents distinct, separated points with clear winners and outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs structure can be described using a graph that is typically referred to as a bracket. In a bracket of eight teams, there are a series of matches where teams pair up and the winner advances to the next round while the loser is eliminated. This creates a visual representation that starts with eight teams and narrows down to one final winner. The graph has several features:
- It is a binary tree, with the full set of games resembling an inverted pyramid.
- Each round halves the number of teams until a champion is crowned.
- The graph is specifically designed so that it will always take three rounds to go from eight teams to one champion.
The playoff graph is a discrete graph because it consists of distinct, separated points and does not represent a continuous flow of data. The teams, games, and outcomes are countable and distinct events with no intermediate values.