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Combinatorics Difficulty 7.7 National olympiad, round 2 Find the answer

Let nn be a nonnegative integer. Determine the number of ways that one can choose (n+1)2(n+1)^2 sets Si,j{1,2,,2n}S_{i,j}\subseteq\{1,2,\ldots,2n\}, for integers i,ji,j with 0i,jn0\leq i,j\leq n, such that:
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[*] for all 0i,jn0\leq i,j\leq n, the set Si,jS_{i,j} has i+ji+j elements; and
[*] Si,jSk,lS_{i,j}\subseteq S_{k,l} whenever 0ikn0\leq i\leq k\leq n and 0jln0\leq j\leq l\leq n.
[/list]

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to determine the number of ways to choose the sets Si,j S_{i,j} such that they satisfy the given conditions. First, consider a fixed set {1,2,,2n}\{1, 2, \ldots, 2n\}. We construct nested sets Si,j S_{i,j} with i+j i + j elements, ensuring that Si,jSk,l S_{i,j} \subseteq S_{k,l} whenever ik i \leq k and jl j \leq l .

### Step-by-step Process:

1. Set Arrangement for Layers:
We deal with (n+1)2 (n+1)^2 sets Si,j S_{i,j} where each set Si,j S_{i,j} is required to have i+j i + j elements. The restriction Si,jSk,l S_{i,j} \subseteq S_{k,l} when ik i \leq k and jl j \leq l implies a hierarchical structure:

- Start by choosing a sequence of sets for each i i and j j such that progressively larger sets cover them due to the increasing number of elements as defined by k k and l l .

2. Choosing Elements:
- We begin by observing that all chosen elements must eventually fit into the largest possible set Sn,n S_{n,n} which has 2n 2n elements (since n+n=2n n+n = 2n ).
- Each smaller set Si,j S_{i,j} requires exact (i+j)(i+j) elements to be chosen from Sn,n S_{n,n} .

3. Mapping to Combinatorial Problems:
- For any fixed order of choosing 2n 2n elements to cover the largest Sn,n S_{n,n} , observe the set hierarchy forms a combinatorial structure where choices within restraints for smaller sets can zigzag across combinations.
- Define binary sequences bi,j b_{i,j} representing the inclusion of elements. A binary representation allows flexibility across steps.

4. Counting Possible Arrangements:
- The elements in Si,j S_{i,j} must be logically nested within the combinations chosen such that each incrementally larger set respects the nested chain rule.
- The number of ways to permute all the objects and achieve the hierarchy is (2n)!(2n)!. Each permutation describes a unique overall distribution of elements due to the permutation covering the largest set.
- Each level’s inclusion can branch within its inherently defined structure uniquely, resulting in an extra combinatorial factor due to independent binary choices: 2n2 2^{n^2} .

Therefore, the total number of ways to construct such sets Si,j S_{i,j} is:

(2n)!×2n2 (2n)! \times 2^{n^2}

Thus, the number of ways to choose (n+1)2 (n+1)^2 sets Si,j S_{i,j} as required is:

(2n)!2n2 \boxed{(2n)! \cdot 2^{n^2}}

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Source: Omni-MATH, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.