Anett is drawing $X$-es on a $5 \times 5$ grid. For each newly drawn $X$ she gets points in the following way: She checks how many $X$-es there are in the same row (including the new one) that can be reached from the newly drawn $X$ with horizontal steps, moving only on fields that were previously marked with $X$-es. For the vertical $X$-es, she gets points the same way. a) What is the maximum number of points that she can get with drawing $25$ $X$-es? b) What is the minimum number of points that she can get with drawing $25$ $X$-es? For example, if Anett put the $X$ on the field that is marked with the circle, she would get $3$ points for the horizontal fields and $1$ point for the vertical ones. Thus, she would get $4$ points in total.
Problem
Source: (2021-) 2022 XV 15th Dürer Math Competition Finals Day 1 E2
Tags: combinatorics