MathDB
Graph with Tokyo flavortext

Source: Swiss TST 2023 P5

September 8, 2023
combinatorics

Problem Statement

The Tokyo Metro system is one of the most efficient in the world. There is some odd positive integer kk such that each metro line passes through exactly kk stations, and each station is serviced by exactly kk metro lines. One can get from any station to any otherstation using only one metro line - but this connection is unique. Furthermore, any two metro lines must share exactly one station. David is planning an excursion for the IMO team, and wants to visit a set SS of kk stations. He remarks that no three of the stationsin SS are on a common metro line. Show that there is some station not in SS, which is connected to every station in SS by a different metro line.