Talk:Games behind

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The formula was wrongly listed as "((W1 - W2) + (L1 - L2))/2". This ALWAYS equals zero when the two teams have played the same number of games... Instead, it should be "((W1 - W2) - (L1 - L2))/2", which is the correct formula. --SFoskett 03:21, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Actually the original formula was the same (up to arithmetic) as the one you say is correct. (note that the formula on the page uses a different order of terms than the ones you give here). Christopher Parham (talk) 03:52, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

The term absolute difference seems to imply that an absolute value is taken, which is incorrect. A better way to describe the computation is to say that if Team 2 trails Team 1, the games behind for the trailing team is computed as the average of the number of "wins behind" (W1-W2) and the number of "losses ahead" (L2-L1). We might also say that ties do not enter into the calculation, although this may not ever be applicable. For example, while ties can occur in the NFL, but I don't know whether GB is ever used in standings for that sport. 64.5.76.6 09:05, 31 July 2007 (UTC)