Ramsey number inequality problem

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In summary, the Ramsey number inequality problem is a mathematical problem that aims to find the minimum number of vertices in a graph to guarantee the existence of either a clique or an independent set of a given size. It has wide-ranging applications in various fields and is a difficult problem to solve, with no known formula or algorithm. However, progress has been made in recent years, and it is closely related to other areas of mathematics.
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Bingk
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Prove that
[itex]R(p,q) \leq \left(\stackrel{p+q-2}{p-1}\right) [/itex]
where [itex]p [/itex] and [itex]q[/itex] are positive integers

I'm supposed to use induction on the inequality [itex]R(p,q) \leq R(p-1,q) + R(p,q-1) [/itex], but I'm having difficulty there.

How do I go about doing this? I can show it's true for [itex]p=q=1[/itex].
But, I can't see how I get the combination in the first inequality from an induction on the second inequality (which doesn't contain a combination) ...
 
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FAQ: Ramsey number inequality problem

1. What is the Ramsey number inequality problem?

The Ramsey number inequality problem is a mathematical problem in graph theory, named after mathematician Frank P. Ramsey. It asks for the minimum number of vertices in a graph that guarantees the existence of either a clique (a subgraph where all vertices are connected to each other) or an independent set (a subgraph where no vertices are connected to each other) of a given size. In simple terms, it aims to find the smallest number of people needed at a party to ensure that either there are at least three mutual friends or at least three mutual strangers.

2. Why is the Ramsey number inequality problem important?

The Ramsey number inequality problem has wide-ranging applications in fields such as computer science, sociology, and economics. It helps us understand the structure of complex networks and has practical implications in fields such as social media, communication networks, and search engines. It also has philosophical implications, as it highlights the existence of patterns and order even in seemingly random systems.

3. How is the Ramsey number inequality problem solved?

The Ramsey number inequality problem is a difficult problem to solve, and there is no known formula or algorithm that can be used to find the exact solution for all cases. However, mathematicians have derived various upper and lower bounds for the Ramsey numbers, and there are also many computational methods and heuristics that can be used to find approximate solutions.

4. What is the current status of the Ramsey number inequality problem?

The exact values for most Ramsey numbers are still unknown. However, significant progress has been made in recent years, and the current best-known bounds are constantly being improved. Additionally, researchers continue to explore different approaches and techniques to find better approximations and solutions for this problem.

5. How does the Ramsey number inequality problem relate to other mathematical concepts?

The Ramsey number inequality problem is closely related to other areas of mathematics, including combinatorics, graph theory, and extremal set theory. It also has connections to topics such as Ramsey theory, probabilistic methods, and computational complexity theory. Studying this problem can often lead to new insights and breakthroughs in these fields.

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