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Counting
Summation Principle
Multiplication Principle
Permutation
Combination
Pigeon Hole Principle
Probability

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle
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If there are n pigeon(s) map to m pigeon hole(s),

where m < n, then at least one pigeon hole will has at
least two pigeons in it.

Why?
If the first m pigeon(s) choose different holes,
therefore all m hole(s) will be occupied. Since there
are n pigeon(s) where m < n, then (m+1)th pigeon has
to share the hole.

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 Pigeon Hole
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-Pigeon
-Pigeon hole
n (pigeon) = 5
m (pigeon hole) = 4

If there are n pigeons mapped to m pigeon hole,

where m < n therefore at least one pigeon hole will
has two or more pigeon in it.
CPT112 March 3, 2015
 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle
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Example #1 :
If there are 11 football players in a team and if the
team win by 12-0, then there must be one player from
the team who scored two or more goals.
Assume:
11 players as pigeon holes
12 goals as pigeons

Based on Pigeon Hole Principle;

There will be hole/player that has two or more
goals/pigeons.

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle
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Example # 2:
If you have to attend 6 classes from Monday to
Friday, there must be one day where you have two or
more classes.
Assume:
5 days (Monday-Friday) as pigeon holes
6 classes as pigeons

Based on Pigeon Hole Principle:

There will be one hole/day that has two or more
classes/pigeons since there are more pigeons than
pigeon holes.
CPT112 March 3, 2015
 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle
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Example #3:
If any five numbers from set {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} were
chose, then two of the numbers if added will produce a
sum of nine.
From the original set, there are four sets (or pigeon
holes), where each set consists of two numbers if
added will produce number 9: {1,8}, {2,7}, {3,6},
{4,5}
Worst case scenario: the first four numbers (pigeons)
were chosen from four different sets
However, the fifth must come from the four sets
where if two elements added will produce number 9.
CPT112 March 3, 2015
 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle
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Example 4:
There are 20 computer servers that are connected. Show
that there are at least two servers that have the same
number of connections.

Establish sets (p.holes) that consist the number of

possible connections {1,2,3,19}
There are 20 servers (pigeons) and 19 kind of
connections (p.holes)
Using Pigeon Hole Principle, there are at least 2
servers (pigeons) that have the same number of
connections (same hole)
CPT112 March 3, 2015
 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle 2
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Pigeon Hole Principle 2 (PHP2):

If there are N pigeons to be mapped to k pigeon
holes, then there is at least one pigeon hole with at
least N/k pigeons.
1 2 3 k
p.hole
1
2
pigeon
N/k
N/k or ( N-1/k+1)

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle 2
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Example:
In a class of 52 students, there will be at least 10
students with the same grade (assume the grades
are only A, B, C, D, or F)

52 students/pigeons
5 grades/pigeons holes
Based on PHP2: 11 = 52/5

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 5.2 Pigeon Hole Principle 2
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Example:
In a class of 52 students, there will be at least 10
students that have the same grade (assume the grade
are A, B, C, D, or F)
52 students/pigeons
5 grade/hole
hole/ A B C D F Based on PHP2: 11 = 52/5
Grade
1 = 5/5
2 = 10/5
Pigeon/
Student 10 = 50/5
11= 52/5
CPT112 March 3, 2015
 Example
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Example 2:
Some banks open on Saturdays, except the first
Saturday of the month. Show that there is/are cases
where those bank employees have to work 4
Saturdays in one month.
hole/ Jan Feb Mar Dec
month
1 = 12/12

Pigeon/
... 2 = 24/12
3 = 36/12
Saturday 4 = 48/12
5= 52/12

CPT112 March 3, 2015

 Example
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Example:
Some banks open on Saturdays, except the first
Saturday of the month. Shows that there is/are cases
where those bank employees have to work 4
Saturdays in one month.

52 Saturdays (pigeons) in one year

12 months (holes) in one year
Based on PHP2, there will be at least one month
that have 5 or more Saturdays (5 = 52/12).
This proof that the employees have to work on 4
Saturdays because they only take leave on 1
Saturday every month.
CPT112 March 3, 2015