The Mathematical Garden

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Mark Six
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SIM
the game
an example
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the proof
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SIM and pigeonhole
Ramsey's Theorem

Proof

First of all, we choose a point, say A. Then, there are five lines joining A to the other points. They are AB, AC, AD, AE and AF.

Since we have two different colours, by the Pigeonhole Principle, at least three lines must be in the same colour, say AB, AC and AD.

We may assume these three lines are red.

Now, we consider the triangle BCD. If one side of triangle BCD is red, then we have a red triangle, otherwise BCD will a blue triangle.

Therefore, either a red or a blue triangle must exist and it is impossible to have a draw.

Department of Mathematics, HKU, 2010