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Queens of Vanity

Category: 3D Objects & 2D Shapes, Variables & Equations, and Relations & Functions
Suitable for Grade Level: Elementary and Secondary

The Math in this Problem:

This math problem challenges students to analyze and study the properties of a triangular chess board. With the constraint of not allowing two Queens to be on the same line, students will come up with the many ways of placing 7 Queens on various intersections. They are also challenged to place 6 Queens in a certain way to refrain from allowing a 7th to enter the chess board.

Queens can sometimes be vain. Place 7 Queens on the intersections of this triangular chess board so that none can look down a line and see another Queen.

This is not a solution because the arrows point to lines that have more than one queen.

How many ways are there to do this?

Place 6 queens so that there is no room for a seventh queen without one of the original 6 queens moving.

Extensions:

  • Prove that it is impossible to place 8 vain queens. (Hint: label the lines as follows:)
  • Create your own problem on a chess board.