How are these two equal?(equation, inequality)

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Pithikos
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Inequality
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the equivalence of two combinatorial equations: the number of integer solutions for the inequality x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6<10, where xi≥0, is equal to the number of integer solutions for the equation x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6+x7=10, where xi≥0 and x7>0. This equivalence arises because any solution to the inequality can be transformed into a solution to the equation by adding a positive integer to the sum. The key insight is recognizing that the solutions to the inequality are precisely those that can be adjusted to meet the equality condition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of discrete mathematics concepts
  • Familiarity with combinatorial counting techniques
  • Knowledge of integer solutions and inequalities
  • Basic grasp of generating functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of combinatorial proofs in discrete mathematics
  • Explore the concept of generating functions for counting solutions
  • Learn about the stars and bars theorem in combinatorics
  • Investigate integer programming techniques for solving similar problems
USEFUL FOR

Students of discrete mathematics, educators teaching combinatorial methods, and anyone interested in understanding integer solutions and inequalities in mathematical contexts.

Pithikos
Messages
55
Reaction score
1
How are these two equal??(equation, inequality)

I study discrete mathematics and we are doing combinations at the moment. There is this example in the book(Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics p. 30 Ex. 1.43) where it states that the number of integer solutions for:

x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6<10 where xi[tex]\geq[/tex]0

is equal to the number of integer solutions of

x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6+x7=10 where xi[tex]\geq[/tex]0 and x7>0

Can someone explain me this? The author supposes that I magically understand what goes through his mind.

Here is a screenshot of the problem: http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/823/garbageab.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org


This is subtle, but, trivial: Try to see that to all the possbile solutions of x1+x2+x3+x4+x5+x6<10, we can add a positive number and make it equal to 10 and also that it is only the set of these solutions to which we can add a positive number and make it equal to 10; thus the set of integer solutions of both equations have the same number of elements.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
10K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K