Let $n$ and $m$ be positive integers. The daycare nanny uses $n \times m$ square floor mats to construct an $n \times m$ rectangular area, with a baby on each of the mats. Each baby initially faces toward one side of the rectangle. When the nanny claps, all babies crawl one mat forward in the direction it is facing at, and then turn 90 degrees clockwise. If a baby crawls outside of the rectangle, it cries. If two babies simultaneously crawl onto the same mat, they bump into each other and cry. Suppose that it is possible for the nanny to arrange the initial direction of each baby so that, no matter how many times she claps, no baby would cry. Find all possible values of $n$ and $m$. Proposed by Chu-Lan Kao
Problem
Source: 2023 Taiwan Mathematics Olympiad
Tags: Taiwan, combinatorics
25.02.2023 01:04
06.07.2023 05:15
USJL wrote: Let $n$ and $m$ be positive integers. The daycare nanny uses $1\times 1$ square floor mats to construct an $n \times m$ rectangular area, with a baby on each of the mats. Each baby initially faces toward one side of the rectangle. When the nanny claps, all babies crawl one mat forward in the direction it is facing at, and then turn 90 degrees clockwise. If a baby crawls outside of the rectangle, it cries. If two babies simultaneously crawl onto the same mat, they bump into each other and cry. Suppose that it is possible for the nanny to arrange the initial direction of each baby so that, no matter how many times she claps, no baby would cry. Find all possible values of $n$ and $m$. Proposed by Chu-Lan Kao Seems like the question should be one by one mats
06.07.2023 05:17
sn6dh wrote:
Your construction works but I don't think your other direction works. Generality seems to be lost when you colour the grid as above without justification.
06.07.2023 12:28
A little easier is to WLOG $2 \nmid m$ and then put a baby on each spot and after two claps the number of babies on even rows will be too big.