In the BIG N, a middle school football conference, each team plays every other team exactly once. If a total of 21 conference games were played during the 2012 season, how many teams were members of the BIG N conference?
$\textbf{(A)}\hspace{.05in}6\qquad\textbf{(B)}\hspace{.05in}7\qquad\textbf{(C)}\hspace{.05in}8\qquad\textbf{(D)}\hspace{.05in}9\qquad\textbf{(E)}\hspace{.05in}10$
This problem is very similar to a handshake problem. We use the formula $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$ to usually find the number of games played (or handshakes). Now we have to use the formula in reverse.
So we have the equation  $\frac{n(n-1)}{2} = 21$. Solving, we find that the number of teams in the BIG N conference is  $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 7}$.