6
$\begingroup$

Suppose that $L\subseteq {\cal P}(\omega)$ has the following properties:

  1. $\omega \notin L$, and for $e\in L$ we have $|e|\geq 2$;
  2. if $e_1\neq e_2 \in L$ then $|e_1\cap e_2|\leq 1$;
  3. if $m,n\in \omega$ there is $e\in L$ such that $\{m,n\}\subseteq e$.

It is not hard to see that $L$ is countable. Is there a bijection $p:\omega\to L$ such that for all $n\in\omega$ we have $p(n)\cap p(n+1) \neq \emptyset$?

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ In condition 3, do you mean $m,n \in e$? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 20, 2017 at 7:47
  • $\begingroup$ @RamirodelaVega yes, I want to say that for any two members of $\omega$ there is a member of $L$ containing the two. (If $m\neq n$ then the $e$ containing $m,n$ is unique by condition 2.) $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 20, 2017 at 9:53
  • $\begingroup$ If every element of $\omega$ is present in the same number ($r$) of sets in $L$, and the elements of $L$ have the same size $k$, it gives a block design $(|\omega|,k,1,r,|L|)$. mathworld.wolfram.com/BlockDesign.html $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 20, 2017 at 12:28

2 Answers 2

2
$\begingroup$

Clearly, $L$ is countably infinite. Thus it will suffice to prove the following lemma, which shows that any finite path $\langle e_1,\dots,e_k,a\rangle$ in $L$ can be extended to include any new element $b\in L.$

Lemma. Given a finite set $E=\{e_1,\dots,e_k\}\subseteq L$ and $a,b\in L\setminus E,$ we can find $c,d\in L\setminus E$ (not necessarily distinct) such that $a\cap c,\ c\cap d,$ and $d\cap b$ are nonempty.

Proof. We consider two cases.

Case 1. All elements of $E$ are finite.

Choose $m\in a,\ n\in b,$ and $p\in\omega\setminus\bigcup E.$ Find $c,d\in L$ such that $\{m,p\}\subseteq c$ and $\{n,p\}\subseteq d.$

Case 2. There is an infinite element $u\in E.$

Choose $m\in a\setminus u,\ n\in b\setminus u,$ and $p\in u\setminus\bigcup(E\setminus\{u\}).$ Find $c,d\in L$ such that $\{m,p\}\subseteq c$ and $\{n,p\}\subseteq d.$

$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ That's very nice - but doesn't this prove that there is a injective map $p:\omega \to L$ with the desired property, but the $p$ you construct is not necessarily surjective? Or am I missing something? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 11:07
  • $\begingroup$ Bof uses (but does not state) an enumeration of L. (Gender presumption) His a is my P(n) and his b is my U. Gerhard "To Get Personal About It" Paseman , 2017.02.21. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 15:36
  • $\begingroup$ Since $L$ is countably infinite, we may suppose that the elements of $L$ have been enumerated as $b_1,b_2,\dots,b_n,\dots.$ Now, at each stage of the construction, having constructed a finite path $\langle e_1,e_2,\dots,e_k,e_{k+1}\rangle,$ we let $b$ be the first $b_i$ which does not yet been visited, and let $a=e_{k+1},$ and using the Lemma we extend the path $\langle e_1,\dots,e_k,a\rangle$ to a path $\langle e_1,\dots,e_k,a,b\rangle$ or $\langle e_1,\dots,e_k,a,c,b\rangle$ or $\langle e_1,\dots,e_k,a,c,d,b\rangle$ containing the vertex $b.$ $\endgroup$
    – bof
    Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 15:40
  • $\begingroup$ @GerhardPaseman Did I just repeat your proof (which I was too lazy to read)? If so I will delete my answer. $\endgroup$
    – bof
    Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 16:23
  • $\begingroup$ I like your presentation. I have no problems with your keeping it around. Gerhard "Enough Rep To Go Around" Paseman, 2017.02.21. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 16:48
2
$\begingroup$

Indeed there is when L consists of finite sets. Pick an enumeration of L, and start the path with P(1)=L(1). If it comes time to pick P(n+1), see if the smallest so far unchosen member U of L intersects P(n). If it does, choose it for P(n+1). Otherwise pick m outside of all the edges chosen thus far for P and outside of U. Let P(n+1) contain m and an element of P(n) and P(n+2) contain m and an element of U. Then U is P(n+3).

This algorithm may not work if L contains an non Eulerian graph plus a set of infinite edges. The sticking point is guaranteeing the existence of m at every step. If this can be shown, then such a graph is Eulerian.

Edit 2017.02.20 GRP: It seems this needs more subtle handling, so I suggest the following modification.

As before, enumerate the set of lines $L$ and start building the path by setting $P(1)=L(1)$. Suppose after finding $n$ lines for $P$, we would like to add $U$ to the path, where $U$ is the least member of $L$ not part of $P$. If $P(n)$ and $U$ share an element in common, set $P(n+1)=U$ and continue.

If $P(n)$ and $U$ are disjoint, consider the subsets of $L$ which have none of the $n$ members of $P$ already chosen, one subset which intersects $P(n)$, and the other subset of lines which intersect $U$. If these two subsets of lines have a line $V$ in common, then set $P(n+1)=V$ and $P(n+2)=U$ and continue.

If there is no $V$ in both subsets, see if there is a point $m$ such that $m$ is on a line intersecting $P(n)$ and also on a line intersecting $U$. If there is, assign $P(n+3)=U$, and make the natural choices for $P(n+1)$ and $P(n+2)$.

After all this, one would expect $V$ or $m$ to exist, solving the problem. However, there may be the rare graph in which at some stage $n$, we cannot find $V$ or $m$. Here is where we use the intersection information to help us.

If there was one or no infinite sets in the collection , we could proceed in the finite case above, if necessary by letting $P(1)$ be the infinite set. Otherwise there are at least two infinite sets, and thus the number of lines intersecting $P(n)$ and not already in the path is infinite, as is the case for $U$ when we fail to find $V$ (and possibly fail to find $m$). Never fear, for there is a line outside of the selected path so far which connects a point that is one hop from $P(n)$ to another which is one hop from $U$. Thus $P(n+4)$ gets $U$, $P(n+2)$ gets this outside line, and pick the other two lines accordingly.

I have a hard time imagining when $m$ might not exist. This might have arisen when one of the sets of lines intersecting $U$ or intersecting $P(n)$ turns out to be empty. But both sets of lines turn out to be infinite, or at least sufficiently numerous. End Edit 2017.02.20 GRP

Gerhard "Walking In Circles Around This" Paseman, 2017.02.20.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Actually, the above should work if in addition to keeping track of the lines already picked and the least unpicked line, we also keep track of the intersection points of members of P. This set is finite, and picking m as needed outside this finite set should work. Gerhard "Finally Found A Solution Path" Paseman, 2017.02.20. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 20, 2017 at 19:03
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks! I suppose these ideas give rise to the complete solutions, very nice! $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 21, 2017 at 11:06

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .