2020 USAMO Problems/Problem 2

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Problem

An empty $2020 \times 2020 \times 2020$ cube is given, and a $2020 \times 2020$ grid of square unit cells is drawn on each of its six faces. A beam is a $1 \times 1 \times 2020$ rectangular prism. Several beams are placed inside the cube subject to the following conditions:

  • The two $1 \times 1$ faces of each beam coincide with unit cells lying on opposite faces of the cube. (Hence, there are $3 \cdot 2020^2$ possible positions for a beam.)
  • No two beams have intersecting interiors.
  • The interiors of each of the four $1 \times 2020$ faces of each beam touch either a face of the cube or the interior of the face of another beam.

What is the smallest positive number of beams that can be placed to satisfy these conditions?

Solution

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2020 USAMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
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