Show that at least 2 children will receive the same number of cakes, if 27 identical cakes are to be distributed to 8 children.

combinatoricspigeonhole-principle

Question: There are 27 identical cakes to be distributed to 8 children.

a) How many ways can you do so with no further restrictions?

b) How many ways can you distribute the cakes such that each child
receives at least 2 cakes?

c) Show that at least 2 children will receive the same number of
cakes.

I understand how to do parts (a) and (b) by using the placeholders and separators method (I've included them anyways just in case it helps) but I'm uncertain what to do for part (c)? My instincts from what I've been learning so far tells me that it's something related to the Pigeonhole Principle but I'm not too sure.

Best Answer

If each child receives a different number of cakes, then we must distribute at least $0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 28$ cakes. However, we only have $27$ cakes. Therefore, at least two children must receive the same number of cakes.