MathDB
Place dominoes on a marked board uniquely!

Source: 2016 IMO Shortlist C8

July 19, 2017
IMO Shortlistcombinatoricsdominoes

Problem Statement

Let nn be a positive integer. Determine the smallest positive integer kk with the following property: it is possible to mark kk cells on a 2n×2n2n \times 2n board so that there exists a unique partition of the board into 1×21 \times 2 and 2×12 \times 1 dominoes, none of which contain two marked cells.