If i, j is not mutual, at least one of the equalities love[i]=j or love[j]=i is false. Consider the iteration where i is the smaller index of the two. If love[i] ≠ j → the algorithm’s first condition ( j = love[i] ) fails. If love[i] = j but love[j] ≠ i → the second condition fails. Thus the counter is never increased for this unordered pair. ∎ Theorem After processing a test case, mutualPairs equals the total number of mutual‑love pairs in the group.
(A classic “mutual‑love” counting problem – often seen on SPOJ, LightOJ, and other online judges) 1️⃣ Problem statement You are given a group of N people, numbered from 1 to N . Each person loves exactly one other person (possibly himself). The love‑relationships are described by an array 412. Sislovesme
When the loop later reaches i = b , the first condition fails ( b < a is false), so the pair is counted again. ∎ Lemma 3 If a pair i, j is not a mutual‑love pair, the algorithm never increments mutualPairs for it. If i, j is not mutual, at least