A question related to system of Distinct Representatives ( Q 11, Ch -9 , Richard Brualdi)

combinatoricsdiscrete mathematics

I am self studying Combinatorics from Richard Brualdi Elementary Combinatorics .

In chapter – System Of Distinct Representatives I am unable to solve this question ( Q no. 11) .
Let 𝑛 > 1 and let 𝒜 = ${A_1,A_2 , … ,A_n}$ be a family of subsets of {1, 2, … , 𝑛}, with $A_i$ = {1, 2, … , 𝑛} − {𝑖}.
Prove that 𝒜 has an SDR and the number of SDRs is n th derangement number $D_n$ .

My Attempt -> It is easy to see why SDR exists(By Marriage Condition) . But I am unable to prove that $D_n$ is equivalent to the codition give in the Question .

Please help.

Best Answer

If the permutation $\pi$ of $[n]$ is a derangement, $\langle\pi(1),\pi(2),\ldots,\pi(n)\rangle$ is an SDR: for each $k\in[n]$ we have $\pi(k)\ne k$, so $\pi(k)\in A_k$. The converse is really just the same idea: if $\langle a_1,a_2,\ldots,a_n\rangle$ is an SDR, then the permutation $\pi:[n]\to[n]:k\mapsto a_k$ is a derangement, since $a_k\notin A_k$ for $k\in[n]$.