MathDB
Tetrislike Z shape

Source: Bosnia and Herzegovina TST 2006 day 1 problem 1

July 14, 2016
combinatoricsTilingtetrislike

Problem Statement

Let ZZ shape be a shape such that it covers (i,j)(i,j), (i,j+1)(i,j+1), (i+1,j+1)(i+1,j+1), (i+2,j+1)(i+2,j+1) and (i+2,j+2)(i+2,j+2) where (i,j)(i,j) stands for cell in ii-th row and jj-th column on an arbitrary table. At least how many ZZ shapes is necessary to cover one 8×88 \times 8 table if every cell of a ZZ shape is either cell of a table or it is outside the table (two ZZ shapes can overlap and ZZ shapes can rotate)?