Euler in Babylon

Rectangles in cross-hatched grids

March 31, 2007

In a 3x2 cross-hatched grid, a total of 37 different rectangles could be situated within that grid as indicated in the sketch.

There are 5 grids smaller than 3x2, vertical and horizontal dimensions being important, i.e. 1x1, 2x1, 3x1, 1x2 and 2x2. If each of them is cross-hatched, the following number of different rectangles could be situated within those smaller grids:

1x11
2x14
3x18
1x24
2x218

Adding those to the 37 of the 3x2 grid, a total of 72 different rectangles could be situated within 3x2 and smaller grids.

How many different rectangles could be situated within 47x43 and smaller grids?


gamwe6

Written by gamwe6 who lives and works in San Francisco building useful things. You should follow him on Twitter