olymmath

ISL 2017 C6

  • Answer

Let n>1n>1 be an integer. An n×n×nn \times n \times n cube is composed of n3n^{3} unit cubes. Each unit cube is painted with one color. For each n×n×1n \times n \times 1 box consisting of n2n^{2} unit cubes (of any of the three possible orientations), we consider the set of the colors present in that box (each color is listed only once). This way, we get 3n3 n sets of colors, split into three groups according to the orientation. It happens that for every set in any group, the same set appears in both of the other groups. Determine, in terms of nn, the maximal possible number of colors that are present. (Russia)

Dataset text NuminaMath olympiads. Quoted with source.

Official text: IMO 2017 Shortlist booklet, page 9.

Show the answer

\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}

Solutions

Official solution Solution 1 by the IMO Problem Selection Committee

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