Combinatorial Integer Labeling Theorems on Finite Sets with Applications

Tucker’s well-known combinatorial lemma states that, for any given symmetric triangulation of the n-dimensional unit cube and for any integer labeling that assigns to each vertex of the triangulation a label from the set {±1,±2,…,±n} with the property that antipodal vertices on the boundary of the cube are assigned opposite labels, the triangulation admits a 1-dimensional simplex whose two vertices have opposite labels. In this paper, we are concerned with an arbitrary finite set D of integral vectors in the n-dimensional Euclidean space and an integer labeling that assigns to each element of D a label from the set {±1,±2,…,±n}. Using a constructive approach, we prove two combinatorial theorems of Tucker type. The theorems state that, under some mild conditions, there exists two integral vectors in D having opposite labels and being cell-connected in the sense that both belong to the set {0,1} n +q for some integral vector q. These theorems are used to show in a constructive way the existence of an integral solution to a system of nonlinear equations under certain natural conditions. An economic application is provided.