IMO 1971 · Problem 6

Let \(A=(a_{ij})(i,j=1,2,\ldots,n)\) be a square matrix whose elements are non-negative integers. Suppose that whenever an element \(a_{ij}=0\), the sum of the elements in the \(i\)th row and the \(j\)th column is \(\geq n\). Prove that the sum of all the elements of the matrix is \(\geq n^2/2\).

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Solution

Let \(S\) be the sum of all entries, and let \(m\) be the smallest among all row sums and column sums.

If \(m\geq n/2\), summing the \(n\) row sums gives \[ S\geq nm\geq \frac{n^2}{2}. \]

Now suppose \(m<n/2\). Transposing the matrix if necessary, we may assume that some row has sum \(m\).

Every nonzero entry is an integer at least \(1\), so this row has at most \(m\) nonzero entries. It therefore has at least \(n-m\) zero entries. Choose \(n-m\) columns containing such zero entries. By the hypothesis, each of these columns has sum at least \(n-m\), since the chosen row has sum \(m\).

Each of the remaining \(m\) columns has sum at least \(m\), by the definition of \(m\). Consequently, \[ S\geq (n-m)(n-m)+m\cdot m =(n-m)^2+m^2 =\frac{n^2}{2}+2\left(m-\frac n2\right)^2 \geq \frac{n^2}{2}. \] This proves the assertion in every case. \(\square\)

The solution was checked against John Scholes' IMO solution archive (Kalva).