Problem

Source: All-Russian MO 2024 10.7

Tags: combinatorics, combinatorics proposed



Let $x_1$ and $x_2$ be positive integers. On a straight line, $y_1$ white segments and $y_2$ black segments are given, with $y_1 \ge x_1$ and $y_2 \ge x_2$. Suppose that no two segments of the same colour intersect (and do not have common ends). Moreover, suppose that for any choice of $x_1$ white segments and $x_2$ black segments, some pair of selected segments will intersect. Prove that $(y_1-x_1)(y_2-x_2)<x_1x_2$. Proposed by G. Chelnokov