APMO 2023 P5
Source:
July 5, 2023
combinatoricsAPMOAPMO 2023
Problem Statement
There are line segments on the plane, no three intersecting at a point, and each pair intersecting once in their respective interiors. Tony and his friends each stand at a distinct endpoint of a line segment. Tony wishes to send Christmas presents to each of his friends as follows:
First, he chooses an endpoint of each segment as a “sink”. Then he places the present at
the endpoint of the segment he is at. The present moves as follows :
If it is on a line segment, it moves towards the sink.
When it reaches an intersection of two segments, it changes the line segment it travels on and starts moving towards the new sink.
If the present reaches an endpoint, the friend on that endpoint can receive their present.
Prove that Tony can send presents to exactly of his friends.