Problem 13 · 2011 Math Kangaroo
Hard
Spatial & Visual Reasoning
path-tracingcareful-counting
Fridolin the hamster runs through the maze shown. On the path there are 16 pumpkin seeds. He is only allowed to cross each junction once. What is the maximum number of pumpkin seeds that he can collect?
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Answer: B — 13
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Hint 1 of 2
He cannot revisit a junction, so some seed-bearing edges must be left out.
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Hint 2 of 2
Look for the route that misses as few seeds as possible while obeying the one-visit rule.
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Approach: trace a single path that crosses each junction once and grabs the most seeds
- Seeds sit along the maze edges; he may pass each junction only once.
- That restriction forces him to skip some edges, so he cannot scoop up all 16.
- The best single legal route through the maze collects 13 seeds.
Mark:
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