1270.11 – Pigeons


Imagine an apartment house for pigeons, where there are 100 pigeonholes and 101 pigeons looking for housing. What has to happen?


Solution

If they all get in, there will be at least one pigeonhole with two or more pigeons in it. This is the famous "pigeonhole principle" which turns up now and then. See more in Stella 1270.13.