April 15–April 21, 2008

Problem

Find the minimum number of squares that are required to draw a complete n x n grid. For example, when n = 2, the answer is 3, as three squares suffice: a 2x2 and two 1x1 squares (draw a picture!); moreover it is easy to see it can't be done with fewer.

Solution

here.

List of solvers

Doug Sherbon (undergrad); Dustin Moody (graduate); Konrad Schroder (staff); David Cohoon (faculty); Mehran Asadi, Kate Smith, Stefan Sharkansky, Eric Brodeur, Mike Goodman, Lloyd Sakazaki (outside).

Doug Sherbon wins the prize!