Suppose \(A_1, A_2,\ldots,A_{30}\) are thirty sets each having 5 elements and \(B_1, B_2,\ldots,B_n\) are \(n\) sets each with 3 elements.

Let

\[ \bigcup_{i=1}^{30} A_i=\bigcup_{j=1}^{n} B_j=S \]

and each element of \(S\) belongs to exactly 10 of the \(A_i\)’s and exactly 9 of the \(B_j\)’s, then \(n\) is equal to

(a) 15

(b) 3

(c) 45

(d) 35

Solution

Total number of element occurrences in all \(A_i\)’s:

\[ 30\times5=150 \]

If \(S\) has \(k\) elements and each element occurs in 10 sets,

\[ 10k=150 \]

\[ k=15 \]

Now total number of element occurrences in all \(B_j\)’s:

\[ n\times3 \]

Each element of \(S\) occurs in 9 sets,

\[ 9\times15=n\times3 \]

\[ 135=3n \]

\[ n=45 \]

Answer

\[ \boxed{45} \]

Correct option: (c)

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