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Dirichlet box principle

From Encyclopedia of Mathematics
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A theorem according to which any sample of sets containing in total more than elements comprises at least one set with at least two elements. Dirichlet's box principle can be formulated in a most popular manner as follows: If "boxes" contain "objects" , then at least one "box" contains at least two "objects" . The principle is frequently used in the theory of Diophantine approximations and in the theory of transcendental numbers to prove that a system of linear inequalities can be solved in integers (cf. Dirichlet theorem in the theory of Diophantine approximations).

How to Cite This Entry:
Dirichlet box principle. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Dirichlet_box_principle&oldid=16845
This article was adapted from an original article by V.G. Sprindzhuk (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article