Solution (source code)

= Solution

A rational matrix $A=(a_1\ \cdots\ a_n)$ is <partition regular> over the positive integers if every finite colouring of $\mathbb N$ admits a vector $x\in\mathbb N^n$ whose coordinates all have the same colour and satisfy $Ax=0$. Equal coordinates are allowed. <Rado's theorem> says that this holds exactly when the columns can be partitioned into nonempty blocks $I_0,\ldots,I_t$ with
$$
b_0=\sum_{i\in I_0}a_i=0,\qquad b_j=\sum_{i\in I_j}a_i\in\operatorname{span}_{\mathbb Q}\{a_i:i\in I_0\cup\cdots\cup I_{j-1}\}\quad(j\geq1).
$$
This is the <columns condition>. Clearing an overall denominator lets us prove necessity for an integer matrix.

Suppose the <columns condition> fails. There are only finitely many ordered partitions of the finite column index set. For each ordered partition, choose a failing block: its sum $b_j$ is outside the rational span of preceding columns, with that span interpreted as zero for the first block. Finite-dimensional <linear algebra> gives a rational <linear functional> vanishing on that span but not on $b_j$. For completeness, take a basis of the span, append $b_j$, extend to a basis of the column space, and prescribe values zero on the first basis vectors and one on $b_j$. Clearing the functional's denominators gives an integer row functional $\ell$ with $\ell(b_j)\ne0$.

Choose one prime $p$ larger than the absolute values of all these finitely many nonzero integers $\ell(b_j)$. Colour each positive integer by its first nonzero base-$p$ digit:
$$
\chi_p(x)=p^{-v_p(x)}x\pmod p\in\{1,\ldots,p-1\}.
$$
Assume a monochromatic solution $x$ exists, and partition its coordinates into blocks of equal <P-adic valuation>, ordered by increasing valuations $v_0<\cdots<v_t$. Their first nonzero digit is a common $d\ne0\pmod p$. For this ordered partition take its chosen failing block $I_j$ and functional $\ell$. Apply $\ell$ to $\sum_i a_ix_i=0$. All preceding-block terms disappear exactly. Divide the remaining integer equation by $p^{v_j}$ and reduce modulo $p$. Later blocks disappear, while the current block gives
$$
0\equiv d\,\ell\left(\sum_{i\in I_j}a_i\right)\pmod p.
$$
This contradicts the prime's choice. Thus the colouring has no monochromatic solution, proving necessity. This is the <finite separating-functional proof of the columns condition>; it needs neither a limiting argument nor a bound on the valuations themselves.

For sufficiency, suppose the blocks satisfy the <columns condition>. Choose rational coefficients $q_{ji}$, for $i$ in preceding blocks, such that
$$
b_j+\sum_{i\in I_0\cup\cdots\cup I_{j-1}}q_{ji}a_i=0\qquad(j\geq1).
$$
Let $c$ be a positive integer clearing their denominators, and choose an integer $P\geq1$ bounding all $|cq_{ji}|$. Use the allowed <monochromatic m-p-c set theorem> with $t+1$ generators. We use the triangular convention in which the resulting positive integer set contains every number
$$
cu_j+\sum_{k=j+1}^t\lambda_ku_k\qquad(0\leq j\leq t,\quad \lambda_k\in\mathbb Z,\ |\lambda_k|\leq P)
$$
in one colour. This is an <m-p-c set>, with the generator indices reversed if the alternative lower-triangular convention is used. The permitted theorem applies to either convention, since it applies to every finite number of generators. Its set lies in $\mathbb N$, so all of the displayed combinations are positive.

For $i\in I_j$, define
$$
x_i=cu_j+\sum_{k=j+1}^t cq_{ki}u_k.
$$
Each coordinate belongs to that monochromatic set. Summing the column contributions and collecting coefficients of $u_k$ gives
$$
\sum_i a_ix_i=c\sum_{k=0}^t u_k\left[b_k+\sum_{i\in I_0\cup\cdots\cup I_{k-1}}q_{ki}a_i\right]=0.
$$
For $k=0$ the inner sum is empty and $b_0=0$. This proves sufficiency by a <Rado solution inside an m-p-c set>, and completes the theorem.

For the requested application, choose
$$
\boxed{r=1.}
$$
The matrix, in the coordinate order $(x,y,z,w)$, has columns
$$
a_x=(3,1)^T,\quad a_y=(1,-2)^T,\quad a_z=(-3,0)^T,\quad a_w=(0,-1)^T.
$$
The block $I_0=\{x,z,w\}$ has zero sum. The remaining column satisfies $a_y=-a_z/3+2a_w$, so it is in the span of the first block. By <Rado's theorem>, positive monochromatic $x,y,z,w$ satisfy the system. In particular,
$$
\boxed{3x+y=3z,\qquad x-2y=w>0.}
$$
One can see the positivity directly in the same triangular construction: a monochromatic set containing $3u+\lambda v$ for $|\lambda|\leq6$, together with $3v$, gives
$$
x=3u,\quad y=3v,\quad z=3u+v,\quad w=3u-6v.
$$
All four are positive because they belong to that positive <m-p-c set>. This is a <partition-regular system forcing an ordered Schur relation>.