2023 AIME II Problems/Problem 10

Problem

Let $N$ be the number of ways to place the integers $1$ through $12$ in the $12$ cells of a $2 \times 6$ grid so that for any two cells sharing a side, the difference between the numbers in those cells is not divisible by $3.$ One way to do this is shown below. Find the number of positive integer divisors of $N.$ $\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline \,1\, & \,3\, & \,5\, & \,7\, & \,9\, & 11 \\ \hline \,2\, & \,4\, & \,6\, & \,8\, & 10 & 12 \\ \hline \end{array}$

Solution 1

We replace the numbers which are 0 mod(3) to 0, 1 mod(3) to 1, and 2 mod(3) to 2.

Then, the problem is equivalent to arranging 4 0's,4 1's, and 4 2's into the grid (and then multiplying by $4!^3$ to account for replacing the remainder numbers with actual numbers) such that no 2 of the same numbers are adjacent.

Then, the numbers which are vertically connected must be different. 2 1s must be connected with 2 2s, and 2 1s must be connected with 2 2s (vertically), as if there are less 1s connected with either, then there will be 2s or 3s which must be connected within the same number. For instance if we did did: - 12 x 3 - 13 x 1 Then we would be left with 23 x1, and 2 remaining 3s which aren't supposed to be connected, so it is impossible. Similar logic works for why all 1s can't be connected with all 2s.

Thus, we are left with the problem of re-arranging 2x 12 pairs, 2x 13 pairs, 2x 23 pairs. Notice that the pairs can be re-arranged horizontally in any configuration, but when 2 pairs are placed adjacent there is only 1 configuration for the rightmost pair to be set after the leftmost one has been placed.

We have $\frac{6!}{2!2!2!}=90$ ways to horizontally re-arrange the pairs, with 2 ways to set the initial leftmost column. Thus, there are 180 ways to arrange the pairs. Accounting for the initial simplification of the problem with 1-12 -> 0-3, we obtain the answer is:

$2488320=2^{11}\cdot3^5\cdot5^1$

The number of divisors is: $12\cdot6\cdot2=\boxed{144}.$ ~SAHANWIJETUNGA

Solution 2 (Archaeological)

Let's carry out an archaeological study, that is, we will find the bones (the base) and "build up the meat."

1. Let "bones" of number $X$ be $X \pmod 3.$ Then the “skeleton” of the original table is

$1 0 2 1 0 2$ $2 1 0 2 1 0$ By condition, the table cannot have a column of two identical numbers (the difference of such numbers is a multiple of $3).$

There are $4$ zeros, $4$ ones and $4$ twos in the table (the order of the numbers in the columns is not important).

Therefore, there cannot be more than two identical columns (otherwise there will be four identical numbers in the remaining three, that is, the numbers in one column are the same).

Any such table has exactly $2$ columns $(0,1), 2$ columns $(0,2)$ and $2$ columns $(1,2).$

The number of possible tables of six elements of three types is $m = \frac {6!}{2! \cdot 2! \cdot 2!} = 2 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5.$ The number of possible tables of six elements, if the order of the digits is important, is $M = 2^6 \cdot m = 2^7 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5.$ 2. We are looking for the total number of options. The column $(0,1)$ can contain the following $4^2 = 16$ pairs of numbers (the order is not important, it is already taken into account) $(1,3), (1,6), (1,9), (1, 12), (4.3), (4.6), (4.9) (4.12), (7.3), (7.6), (7.9), (7.12), (11,3), (11,6), (11,9), (11,12).$ The second column $(0,1)$ can contain $3^2 = 9$ pairs of numbers (excluding the two that are in the first column).

Similarly with the other two columns, i.e. the total number of choices $M \cdot 16 \cdot 9 \cdot 3 = 2^{11} \cdot 3^5 \cdot 5.$ Number of divisors $(11+1) \cdot (5+1) \cdot (1 + 1) = \boxed{144}.$ vladimir.shelomovskii@gmail.com, vvsss

Simpler Way to Finish

Note that there are 6!/(2!2!2!) ways for the possible column arrangements. Then, each of those columns have two numbers, which can be permuted either way, so we multiply by 2!. Finally, we have 4 of each of 0, 1, and 2 mod 3. Thus, let us put those 4 who are 0 mod 3, and we get 4! ways to do this. Similarly can be said for 1 and 2 mod 3, so we multiply by (4!)^3. Thus, the final answer is 6!/(2!2!2!)*2!*(4!)^3 which leads us to the same solution as above.

mathboy282

2023 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 9	Followed by Problem 11
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2023 AIME II Problems/Problem 10

Contents

Problem

Solution 1

Solution 2 (Archaeological)

Simpler Way to Finish

See also