Problem:
In the arrangement of letters and numerals below, by how many different paths can one spell Beginning at the in the middle, a path allows only moves from one letter to an adjacent (above, below, left, or right, but not diagonal) letter. One example of such a path is traced in the picture.
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Solution:
Starting at , there are choices for the , each of which is followed by choices for the , each of which is followed by choices for the . So all together, there are paths.
Answer: .
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions