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3n participants in the Mathematical Olympiad competition

Source: Polish MO Recond Round 1984 p4

September 9, 2024
combinatorics

Problem Statement

There are 3n3n participants in the Mathematical Olympiad competition. They are assigned seats in three rows, with nn seats in each, and are admitted into the hall one at a time, after which they immediately take their seats. Calculate the probability that until the last competitor takes his seat, at any moment for each two rows the difference in the number of players sitting in them is no greater than 1.