AoPSWiki
Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
Personal tools

2002 USAMO Problems/Problem 6

From AoPSWiki

Problem

I have an n \times n sheet of stamps, from which I've been asked to tear out blocks of three adjacent stamps in a single row or column. (I can only tear along the perforations separating adjacent stamps, and each block must come out of the sheet in one piece.) Let b(n) be the smallest number of blocks I can tear out and make it impossible to tear out any more blocks. Prove that there are real constants c and d such that
\dfrac{1}{7} n^2 - cn \leq b(n) \leq \dfrac{1}{5} n^2 + dn
for all n > 0.

Solutions

This problem needs a solution. If you have a solution for it, please help us out by adding it.

Resources

Trying to get to the USAMO in 2010? Our AIME Problem Series can help you get there! Click here to enroll today!
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us