Determine for which natural numbers $n$ it is possible to completely cover a board of $ n \times n$, divided into $1 \times 1$ squares, with pieces like the one in the figure, without gaps or overlays and without leaving the board. Each of the pieces covers exactly six boxes. Note: Parts can be rotated. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/c/2/d87d234b7f9799da873bebec845c721e4567f9.png[/img]

Describe a method to convert any triangle into a rectangle with side 1 and area equal to the original triangle by dividing that triangle into finitely many subtriangles.

For a positive integer $n$, we consider an $n \times n$ board and tiles with dimensions $1 \times 1, 1 \times 2, ..., 1 \times n$. In how many ways exactly can $\frac12 n (n + 1)$ cells of the board are colored red, so that the red squares can all be covered by placing the $n$ tiles all horizontally, but also by placing all $n$ tiles vertically? Two colorings that are not identical, but by rotation or reflection from the board into each other count as different.

How many dominoes can be placed on a at least $3 \times 12$ board, such so that it is impossible to place a $1\times 3$, $3 \times 1$, or $ 2 \times 2$ tile on what remains of the board? Clarification: Each domino covers exactly two squares on the board. The chips cannot overlap.

The central square of the City of Mathematicians is an $n\times n$ rectangular shape, each paved with $1\times 1$ tiles. In order to illuminate the square, night lamps are placed at the corners of the tiles (including the edges of the rectangle) in such a way that each night lamp illuminates all the tiles in its corner. Determine the minimum number of night lamps such that even if one of those night lamps does not work, it is possible to illuminate the entire central square with them.

For a positive integer $n$, we consider an $n \times n$ board and tiles with dimensions $1 \times 1, 1 \times 2, ..., 1 \times n$. In how many ways exactly can $\frac12 n (n + 1)$ cells of the board are colored red, so that the red squares can all be covered by placing the $n$ tiles all horizontally, but also by placing all $n$ tiles vertically? Two colorings that are not identical, but by rotation or reflection from the board into each other count as different.

A board of $6\times 6$ is totally covered by $18$ dominoes (of $2\times 1$), that is, there are no overlaps, gaps, and the tiles do not come off the board. Prove that, regardless of the arrangement of the tiles, there is always a line that divides the board into two non-empty parts, and without cutting tiles.

A torpedo set consists of $2$ pieces of $1 \times 4$, $4$ pieces of $1 \times 3$, $6$ pieces of $1 \times 2$ and $ 8$ pieces of $1 \times 1$ ships. a) Can one put the whole set to a $10 \times 10$ table so that the ships do not even touch with corners? (The ships can be placed both horizontally and vertically.) b) Can we solve this problem if we change $4$ pieces of $1 \times 1$ ships to $3$ pieces of $1 \times 2$ ships? c) Can we solve the problem if we change the remaining $4$ pieces of $1 \times 1$ ships to one piece of $1 \times 3$ ship and one piece of $1 \times 2$ ship? (So the number of pieces are $2, 5, 10, 0$.)

We have $10$ identical tiles as shown. The tiles can be rotated, but not flipper over. A $7 \times 7$ board should be covered with these tiles so that exactly one unit square is covered by two tiles and all other fields by one tile. Designate all unit sqaures that can be covered with two tiles. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/d/5/6602a5c9e99126bd656f997dee3657348d98b5.png[/img]

Find the largest natural number $n$ such that any set of $n$ tetraminoes, each of which is one of the four shapes in the picture, can be placed without overlapping in a $20 \times 20$ table (no tetramino extends beyond the borders of the table), such that each tetramino covers exactly 4 cells of the 20x20 table. An individual tetramino is allowed to turn and flip at will. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/b/9/0dddb25c2aa07536b711ded8363679e47972d6.png[/img]

Let $n\geq 3$ a positive integer. In each cell of a $n\times n$ chessboard one must write $1$ or $2$ in such a way the sum of all written numbers in each $2\times 3$ and $3\times 2$ sub-chessboard is even. How many different ways can the chessboard be completed?

An $8 \times 11$ rectangle of unit squares somehow becomes disassembled into $21$ contiguous parts . Prove that at least two of these parts, except for rotations and reflections have the same shape.

An angle of size $n \times m$, where $m, n \ge 2$, is called a figure, resulting from a rectangle of size $n \times m$ cells by removing the rectangle size $(n - 1) \times (m - 1)$ cells. Two players take turns making moves consisting in painting in a corner an arbitrary non-zero number of cells forming a rectangle or square.

Show that we cannot tile a $10 x 10$ board with $25$ pieces of type $A$, or with $25$ pieces of type $B$, or with $25$ pieces of type $C$.

Compute the number of ways of tiling the $2\times 10$ grid below with the three tiles shown. There is an infinite supply of each tile, and rotating or reflecting the tiles is not allowed. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/5/a/bb279c486fc85509aa1bcabcda66a8ea3faff8.png[/img]

There are eight congruent $1\times 2$ tiles formed of one blue square and one red square. In how many ways can we cover a $4\times 4$ area with these tiles so that each row and each column has two blue squares and two red squares?

Each square on a $ n \times n$ board, with $n \ge 3$, is colored with one of $ 8$ colors. For what values of $n$ it can be said that some of these figures included in the board, does it contain two squares of the same color. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/3/9/6af58460585772f39dd9e8ef1a2d9f37521317.png[/img]

You have a $7\times 7$ board divided into $49$ boxes. Mateo places a coin in a box. a) Prove that Mateo can place the coin so that it is impossible for Emi to completely cover the $48$ remaining squares, without gaps or overlaps, using $15$ $3\times1$ rectangles and a cubit of three squares, like those in the figure. [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/6/9/a467439094376cd95c6dfe3e2ad3e16fe9f124.png[/img] b) Prove that no matter which square Mateo places the coin in, Emi will always be able to cover the 48 remaining squares using $14$ $3\times1$ rectangles and two cubits of three squares.

The $U$-tile is made up of $1 \times 1$ squares and has the following shape: [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/8/7/5795ee33444055794119a99e675ef977add483.png[/img] where there are two vertical rows of a squares, one horizontal row of $b$ squares, and also $a \ge 2$ and $b \ge 3$. Notice that there are different types of tile $U$ . For example, some types of $U$ tiles are as follows: [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/0/3/ca340686403739ffbbbb578d73af76e81a630e.png[/img] Prove that for each integer $n \ge 6$, the board of $n\times n$ can be completely covered with $U$-tiles , with no gaps and no overlapping clicks. Clarifications: The $U$-tiles can be rotated. Any amount can be used in the covering of tiles of each type.

Basil has an unrestricted supply of straight bricks $1 \times 1 \times 3$ and Γ-shape bricks made of three cubes $1\times 1\times 1$. Basil filled a whole box $m \times n \times k$ with these bricks, where $m, n$ and $k$ are integers greater than $1$. Prove that it was sufficient to use only Γ-shape bricks. (Mikhail Evdokimov)

Given are two positive integers $k$ and $n$ with $k \le n \le 2k - 1$. Julian has a large stack of rectangular $k \times 1$ tiles. Merlin calls a positive integer $m$ and receives $m$ tiles from Julian to place on an $n \times n$ board. Julian first writes on every tile whether it should be a horizontal or a vertical tile. Tiles may be used the board should not overlap or protrude. What is the largest number $m$ that Merlin can call if he wants to make sure that he has all tiles according to the rule of Julian can put on the plate?

The plane is divided into unit squares. Each box should be be colored in one of $n$ colors , so that if four squares can be covered with an $L$-tetromino, then these squares have four different colors (the $L$-Tetromino may be rotated and be mirrored). Find the smallest value of $n$ for which this is possible.

What is the smallest number of $3$-cell corners that you need to paint in a $5 \times5$ square so that you cannot paint more than one corner of one it? (Shaded corners should not overlap.)

A $7\times 7$ square is cut into pieces following types: [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/e/d/458b252c719946062b655340cbe8415d1bdaf9.png[/img] Show that exactly one of the pieces is of type (b). [img]https://cdn.artofproblemsolving.com/attachments/4/9/f3dd0e13fed9838969335c82f5fe866edc83e8.png[/img]

We consider tilings of a rectangular $m \times n$-board with $1\times2$-tiles. The tiles can be placed either horizontally, or vertically, but they aren't allowed to overlap and to be placed partially outside of the board. All squares on theboard must be covered by a tile. (a) Prove that for every tiling of a $4 \times 2010$-board with $1\times2$-tiles there is a straight line cutting the board into two pieces such that every tile completely lies within one of the pieces. (b) Prove that there exists a tiling of a $5 \times  2010$-board with $1\times 2$-tiles such that there is no straight line cutting the board into two pieces such that every tile completely lies within one of the pieces.