On each side of an equilateral triangle with side length units, where is an integer, 1 100, consider – 1 points that divide the side into equal segments. Through these points, draw lines parallel to the sides of the triangle, obtaining net of equilateral triangles of side length one unit. On each of the vertices of these small triangles, place coin head up. Two coins are said to be adjacent if the distance between them is 1 unit. A move consists of flip over any three mutually adjacent coins. Find the number of values of for which it is possible to turn all coins tail up after finite number of moves.
Hint 1: Start by analyzing the initial conditions and setting up the basic equations. Total number of vertices.
Hint 2: Look for algebraic properties, symmetry, or geometric theorems to simplify. ( + 1)( + 2).
Hint 3: Proceed with the final algebraic steps to solve the system. Let Head be donate by ‘0’ and tail by ‘1’.
Step 1: Total number of vertices
Step 2: ( + 1)( + 2)
Step 3: Let Head be donate by ‘0’ and tail by ‘1’.
Step 4: => initial sum of all vertices = 0.
Step 5: After each move three ‘0’ becomes three ‘1’.
Step 6: Let after kth move the sum be f(k).
Step 7: => f(k + 1) = f(k) + 3
Step 8: ( + 1)( + 2)
Step 9: Finally number of tails sum =
Step 10: But initially it was zero.
Step 11: Hence 3 divides
Step 12: ( + 1)( + 2)
Step 13: => = 3k + 1 or 3k + 2.
Step 14: Number of such which are less then 100 are 67.
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