Difference between revisions of "2020 USOJMO Problems/Problem 3"

(Problem)
(Problem)
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- The two <math>1 \times 1</math> faces of each beam coincide with unit cells lying on opposite faces of the cube. (Hence, there are <math>3 \cdot {2020}^2</math> possible positions for a beam.)
 
- The two <math>1 \times 1</math> faces of each beam coincide with unit cells lying on opposite faces of the cube. (Hence, there are <math>3 \cdot {2020}^2</math> possible positions for a beam.)
 +
 
- No two beams have intersecting interiors.
 
- No two beams have intersecting interiors.
 +
 
- The interiors of each of the four <math>1 \times 2020</math> faces of each beam touch either a face of the cube or the interior of the face of another beam.
 
- The interiors of each of the four <math>1 \times 2020</math> 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?
 
What is the smallest positive number of beams that can be placed to satisfy these conditions?

Revision as of 17:14, 23 June 2020

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 [i]beam[/i] 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?