Difference between revisions of "2024 AIME I Problems/Problem 6"

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==Problem==
 
==Problem==
An <math>8*8</math> grid is shown. Find the number of paths from the lower-left hand corner to the upper-right hand corner that consist of <math>16</math> grid movements and exactly four “turns.” [REWORD PLZ]
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Consider the paths of length <math>16</math> that follow the lines from the lower left corner to the upper right corner on an <math>8 \times 8</math> grid. Find the number of such paths that change direction exactly four times, as in the examples shown below.
  
 
==Solution==
 
==Solution==

Revision as of 13:56, 2 February 2024

Problem

Consider the paths of length $16$ that follow the lines from the lower left corner to the upper right corner on an $8 \times 8$ grid. Find the number of such paths that change direction exactly four times, as in the examples shown below.

Solution

We divide the path into eight “$R$” movements and eight “$U$” movements. Five sections of alternative $RURUR$ or $URURU$ are necessary in order to make four “turns.” We use the first case and multiply by $2$.


For $U$, we have seven ordered pairs of positive integers $(a,b)$ such that $a+b=8$.

For $R$, we subtract $1$ from each section (as the minimum is $1$) and we use Stars and Bars to get $(7 \choose 5)=21$.


Thus our answer is $7*21*2=\boxed{294}$.