A circle has been split into 8 sectors each of which can be colored as 4 different colors, and no consecutive sectors are colored the same. How many ways of coloring are possible?

Question

Mathematics

Evelyn Pitts

26 December, 16:46

A circle has been split into 8 sectors each of which can be colored as 4 different colors, and no consecutive sectors are colored the same. How many ways of coloring are possible?

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Answers (1)

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Micah Gregory · Answer 1

5832 ways

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the circle has 8 sectors and there is 4 colour,

Assuming the sectors are numbered 1 to 8,

Sector 1 : can be coloured with any of the 4 colour in 4 ways

Sector 2 can be coloured with any of the remaining 3 colours in 3 ways

Sector 3 in 3 ways without using the colour in sector 2

Sector 4 in 3 ways without using the colour in sector 3

Sector 5 in 3 ways without using the colour in sector 4

Sector 6 in 3 ways without using the colour in sector 5

Sector 7 in 3 ways without using the colour in sector 6

Sector 8 in 2 ways without using the colours in sector 1 and 7

Number of ways of colouring = 4*3*3*3*3*3*3*2 = 5832 ways