Problem

Source: 2021 Thailand MO P4

Tags: combinatorics, pigeonhole principle



Kan Krao Park is a circular park that has $21$ entrances and a straight line walkway joining each pair of two entrances. No three walkways meet at a single point. Some walkways are paved with bricks, while others are paved with asphalt. At each intersection of two walkways, excluding the entrances, is planted lotus if the two walkways are paved with the same material, and is planted waterlily if the two walkways are paved with different materials. Each walkway is decorated with lights if and only if the same type of plant is placed at least $45$ different points along that walkway. Prove that there are at least $11$ walkways decorated with lights and paved with the same material.