Question

A "domino" is made up of two small squares:

. Which of the "checkerboards" illustrated below CANNOT be covered exactly and completely by a whole number of non-overlapping dominoes?

$3 \times 4$

$3 \times 5$

$4 \times 4$

$4 \times 5$

$6 \times 3$

Answer: B

Concepts:tiling parity

Difficulty rating: 800

Solution:

Every domino covers exactly $2$ squares, so any board that is completely covered by non-overlapping dominoes must contain an even number of small squares.

Counting squares: $3 \times 4 = 12,$ $3 \times 5 = 15,$ $4 \times 4 = 16,$ $4 \times 5 = 20,$ and $6 \times 3 = 18.$ Only $3 \times 5 = 15$ is odd, so that board cannot be covered. (Each of the even boards has a side of even length and is easily tiled with dominoes.)

Thus, the correct answer is B .

1991 AMC 8 Problem 5

Answer: B

Solution:

Problem 5 in Other Years