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=[[MA375]]: [[MA_375_Spring_2009_Walther_Week_5| Solution to a homework problem from this week or last week's homework]]=
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Spring 2009, Prof. Walther
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7.1
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42. How many ways can a 2 x n board be filled by tiles two squares in size?
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a) To solve this problem, divide how you can place the upper right dominoe into two cases
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Case 1: Vertical-if you place a vertical tile in the upper right of the board, you can only place another vertical tile on the left to fill up the open space. After doing this, you have a 2 x (n-2) space to fill. (a_n-2)
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Case 2: Horizontal-if you place a horizontal tile at the top of the board, you are left with a 2 x (n-1) space to fill. (a_n-1)
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Adding these two cases, we find: a_n = a_n-1 + a_n-2
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b) There is one way to fill a 2 x 1 board with a 2 square tile, so a1 = 1. A 2 x 2 board can be filled with two horizontal tiles or two vertical tiles, so a2 = 2.
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c) To find a17 just repeat the recursion, starting with the initial conditions, until a17 = a16 + a15 is reached.
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[[MA375_%28WaltherSpring2009%29|Back to MA375, Spring 2009, Prof. Walther]]

Latest revision as of 08:22, 20 May 2013


MA375: Solution to a homework problem from this week or last week's homework

Spring 2009, Prof. Walther


7.1

42. How many ways can a 2 x n board be filled by tiles two squares in size?

a) To solve this problem, divide how you can place the upper right dominoe into two cases

Case 1: Vertical-if you place a vertical tile in the upper right of the board, you can only place another vertical tile on the left to fill up the open space. After doing this, you have a 2 x (n-2) space to fill. (a_n-2)

Case 2: Horizontal-if you place a horizontal tile at the top of the board, you are left with a 2 x (n-1) space to fill. (a_n-1)

Adding these two cases, we find: a_n = a_n-1 + a_n-2

b) There is one way to fill a 2 x 1 board with a 2 square tile, so a1 = 1. A 2 x 2 board can be filled with two horizontal tiles or two vertical tiles, so a2 = 2.

c) To find a17 just repeat the recursion, starting with the initial conditions, until a17 = a16 + a15 is reached.


Back to MA375, Spring 2009, Prof. Walther

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