Subscribe now

BrainTwister #15: Domino strips

Can you solve this week’s logic puzzle? Plus our quick quiz and the answer to last week’s problem

By Peter Rowlett

10 April 2024

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

#15 Domino strips

Set by Peter Rowlett

There are three ways to cover a 3 × 2 grid with dominoes.

How many ways are there to cover a 4 × 2 grid? What about a 6 × 2 grid?

Can you find a pattern that would help you work out the number of different ways dominoes can be used to cover any n × 2 rectangle?

Solution next week

#14 Factor graphs

Solution

Here’s a factor graph of 1-10:

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

You can connect every number up to 14, but adding 15 requires drawing lines to 3 and 5, which leads to crossing. If we exclude…

Article amended on 17 May 2024

We have corrected the diagram for the solution to BrainTwister #14

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Unlock this article

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 15 January 2025.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account