Problem

Source: Romania TST 2016 Day 5 Problem 3

Tags: combinatorics



A set $S=\{ s_1,s_2,...,s_k\}$ of positive real numbers is "polygonal" if $k\geq 3$ and there is a non-degenerate planar $k-$gon whose side lengths are exactly $s_1,s_2,...,s_k$; the set $S$ is multipolygonal if in every partition of $S$ into two subsets,each of which has at least three elements, exactly one of these two subsets in polygonal. Fix an integer $n\geq 7$. (a) Does there exist an $n-$element multipolygonal set, removal of whose maximal element leaves a multipolygonal set? (b) Is it possible that every $(n-1)-$element subset of an $n-$element set of positive real numbers be multipolygonal?