MathDB
2009 Belgians handshaking

Source: Flanders Math Olympiad 2009 p1

December 24, 2022
combinatorics

Problem Statement

In an attempt to beat the Belgian handshake record come on 20/09/200920/09/2009 exactly 20092009 Belgians together in a large sports hall. Among them are Nathalie and thomas. During this event, everyone shakes hands with everyone exactly once other attendees. Afterwards, Nathalie says: “I have exactly 55 times as many Flemish people shaken hands as people from Brussels.” Thomas replies with “I have exactly 33 times as much Walloons and Brussels people shook hands”. From which region does Nathalie come and from which region comes Thomas?