2005 Alabama ARML TST Problems/Problem 5

Problem

A $2\times 2$ square grid is constructed with four $1\times 1$ squares. The square on the upper left is labeled A, the square on the upper right is labeled B, the square in the lower left is labeled C, and the square on the lower right is labeled D. The four squares are to be painted such that 2 are blue, 1 is red, and 1 is green. In how many ways can this be done?

Solution

Solution 1

We choose two squares to be blue and one to be red; then the green's position is forced. There are ${4 \choose 2}{2 \choose 1}=12$ ways to do this.

Equivalently, we could choose one square to be red and one square to be green, then blue is forced: $\binom{4}{1} \binom{3}{1}=12$ .

Solution 2

Since rotations and reflections are not distinct, the number of ways is just $\frac{4!}{2! \cdot 1! \cdot 1!} = 12$

2005 Alabama ARML TST (Problems)
Preceded by: Problem 4	Followed by: Problem 6
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2005 Alabama ARML TST Problems/Problem 5

Contents

Problem

Solution

Solution 1

Solution 2

See Also