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Guessing Number via Subset Lists

2350ExpertCombinatoricsGame Theory

Argentine National Olympiad 2015 · 2015

Alex has thought of a number $N$ in $S = \{1, 2, ..., 1001\}$, and Bibi has to find it via the following procedure. She gives Alex a list of subsets of $S$, Alex reads it and tells Bibi how many subsets in her list contain $N$. If Bibi wishes she can repeat the same with a second list, and then with a third one, but no more than 3 lists are allowed. What least total number of subsets would enable Bibi to find $N$ with certainty?
2 students attempted0% solvedRating 2350

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