2011 AMC 12A Problem 16

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 16 of the 2011 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2011 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:graph theory inclusion-exclusion

Difficulty rating: 1820

16.

Each vertex of convex pentagon $ABCDE$ is to be assigned a color. There are $6$ colors to choose from, and the ends of each diagonal must have different colors. How many different colorings are possible?

$2520$

$2880$

$3120$

$3250$

$3750$

Solution:

The diagonals connect the vertices in the order $A - C - E - B - D - A,$ which is a $5$ -cycle. The condition is exactly that this cycle is properly colored.

The number of proper $k$ -colorings of a cycle of length $n$ is $(k-1)^n + (-1)^n (k-1).$ With $n = 5$ and $k = 6,$ $5^5 + (-1)^5 \cdot 5 = 3125 - 5 = 3120.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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