Principle of Inclusion Exclusion regarding circular arrangements

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of the Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion (PIE) to solve a combinatorial problem involving seating arrangements of two biologists, two chemists, and two physicists at a circular table. The solution involves calculating the total arrangements without restrictions, then subtracting arrangements with at least one pair of adjacent scientists, and adding back arrangements with two pairs adjacent to avoid double counting. The confusion arises from the interpretation of "1 pair adjacent," which refers to arrangements with at least one pair adjacent, thus including cases with two or more pairs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion (PIE)
  • Basic combinatorial counting techniques
  • Familiarity with circular permutations
  • Knowledge of adjacency constraints in arrangements
NEXT STEPS
  • Study advanced applications of the Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in combinatorial problems
  • Learn about circular permutations and their unique properties
  • Explore examples of adjacency constraints in seating arrangements
  • Review combinatorial proofs involving multiple counting techniques
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of combinatorics, and anyone interested in advanced counting techniques and the Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in problem-solving contexts.

drifter24
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I've been working through the AOPS Intermediate Counting and Probability text, but do not understand the explanation given for one of the problems.

Two biologists, two chemists and two physicists sit at a round table with 6 chairs. In how many ways can they sit so that no two scientists of the same type are seated next to each other?

I don't understand the given PIE (Principle of Inclusion Exclusion) solution.
According to the book,
# of seatings with no pair adjacent = # of seatings (with no restriction) - # of seatings with 1 pair adjacent + " 2 pair adjacent - " 3 pairs adjacent

I don't understand why 2 pair adjacent is being added to the problem. If we eliminate with all seatings with 1 pair adjacent, does that not mean we also eliminate all invalid options? Isn't it true that there cannot be a valid option/arrangement in the set of (1 pair adjacent)--no matter how you arrange the other 4 scientists once you have 1 pair adjacent in the set--everything is invalid. I see how the solution makes sense in other examples, but the idea of a circular table is throwing me off tremendously. I can't seem to create concrete examples of repeats, when I try to draw out the tables and subsequently position the people.

Could someone please explain the second step (1 pair and 2 pair)? Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The number of seatings "with 1 pair adjacent" probably means the the number of seatings "with at least 1 pair adjacent", so it counts the seatings with 2 or more pairs adjacent.

The convention in most mathematical discussions is that the statement "There are N things..." means "There are N or more things...". If you want there to be exactly N things, you are supposed to say "There are exactly N things...".
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K