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Source. Section 2, printed pp. 148–149 (published PDF).

Statement. Let Q=(qi)i∈IQ=(q_i)_{i\in I} be a finite indexed family of subsets of finite EE, and k≥1k\ge1. For J⊆IJ\subseteq I, let u(J)=∣⋃i∈Jqi∣u(J)=|\bigcup_{i\in J}q_i| and let τ(J)\tau(J) be the largest size of a partial transversal of the subfamily JJ. The following are equivalent:

  1. II has an indexed partition into kk subfamilies, each admitting a full transversal.
  2. ∣J∣≤ku(J)|J|\le k u(J) for every J⊆IJ\subseteq I.
  3. ∣J∣≤kτ(J)|J|\le k\tau(J) for every J⊆IJ\subseteq I.

Empty subfamilies are permitted. The representative elements can be reused in different parts.

External inputs. The exact finite Hall and König theorems are recorded in external inputs. The Hall proof is supplied by Hall (1935), Theorem 1; the separate König min–max theorem retains its external scope.

Proof. Replace each e∈Ee\in E by kk labeled copies (e,t)(e,t), 1≤t≤k1\le t\le k, and replace qiq_i by qi×[k]q_i\times[k]. The union of the available copies for a subfamily JJ has exactly ku(J)k u(J) elements. Hall's theorem therefore says that condition 2 is equivalent to a full transversal of the replicated family.

Given that transversal, put index ii into part tt if its selected representative has second coordinate tt. Within each part the first coordinates are distinct and belong to the appropriate sets, so give a transversal. Conversely, transversals for a partition into kk parts give distinct representatives in the replicated family by labeling each representative with its part. This proves 1⟺21\Longleftrightarrow2.

Since τ(J)≤u(J)\tau(J)\le u(J), condition 3 implies condition 2. For the converse, suppose condition 3 fails at a subfamily JJ. In the incidence graph on EE and JJ, König's theorem gives a minimum vertex cover U∪KU\cup K, with U⊆EU\subseteq E, K⊆JK\subseteq J, such that

∣U∣+∣K∣=τ(J),∣J∣>k(∣U∣+∣K∣).|U|+|K|=\tau(J),\qquad |J|>k(|U|+|K|).

Put J′=J∖KJ'=J\setminus K. Every neighbor of an index in J′J' belongs to UU, so u(J′)≤∣U∣u(J')\le|U|. Consequently

∣J′∣=∣J∣−∣K∣>k∣U∣+(k−1)∣K∣≥ku(J′),|J'|=|J|-|K| > k|U|+(k-1)|K| \ge k u(J'),

contradicting condition 2. This proves the remaining implication. □\square

The source identifies the neighbor set of J′J' with UU; equality follows if the chosen minimum cover is also viewed as inclusion-minimal, since an element of UU with no neighbor in J′J' could be deleted. Only the inclusion, written explicitly above, is needed.

This partitions the indexed family, whereas the network-flow formula packs partial transversals inside the ground set. The two incidence sides are not silently interchanged. Applying the general matroid partition theorem to the family-side transversal matroid is another proof of 1⟺31\Longleftrightarrow3; the Hall replication argument is retained as the distinct route actually discussed by the source.