Milliken–Taylor theorem Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-11-05
Fix positive integers . A Milliken-Taylor system generated by a sequence of positive integers is
The Milliken–Taylor theorem says that every finite colouring of the positive integers admits an infinite sequence for which this whole set is monochromatic. The block separation prevents the same index from contributing at two different coefficient positions. For , choices , , give . For , , the statement is the Hindman theorem. One can also require to consist of successive disjoint block sums from any prescribed positive sequence.[ref]
A compressed coefficient vector has no adjacent repeated entries. Two such positive coefficient vectors can be forced to produce Milliken-Taylor systems in the same colour class for every finite colouring precisely when one is a positive rational multiple of the other. Thus a finite colouring can prevent a finite-sums set and a Milliken-Taylor system from sharing a colour, even with different generating sequences.[ref]