Question

A rectangle is partitioned into $5$ regions as shown. Each region is to be painted a solid color - red, orange, yellow, blue, or green - so that regions that touch are painted different colors, and colors can be used more than once. How many different colorings are possible?

$120$

$270$

$360$

$540$

$720$

Solution:

There are $5$ choices for the color of the bottom left rectangle. This forces there to be $4$ choices for the top left rectangle. The middle bottom rectangle touches both of the previous ones, so there are $3$ color options for this rectangle.

The rectangle in the top right is also limited to $3$ colors since it touches the two previous rectangles. Finally, the rectangle in the bottom right also has $3$ color options.

Multiplying these together, we get $540$ total colorings.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

2022 AMC 10A Problem 9

Solution:

Problem 9 in Other Years