Four Color Problem Ice Breaker Activity

The Four Color Problem In mathematics, the four color theorem, or the four color map theorem, states that given any separation of a plane into contiguous regions, called a map, the regions can be colored using at most four colors so that no two adjacent regions have the same color. Two regions are called adjacent only if they share a border segment, not just a point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_color_t heorem

The Four Color Problem – Your Mission You need to color each country in the map provided. This may seem simple, but there are some restrictions. No country may touch another country of the same color. You will be charged each time you use a color to fill in a country -regardless of its size. You must color the map as cheaply as possible. Do not color the islands shown on the map.

Cost of the Colors Color Cost Per Country Red $100 Blue $200 Green $300 Orange $400 Yellow $500 Purple $600 Brown $700 Black $800

South America

If You Want More … http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/fourcolor/fou rcolor.html Flash game played against the computer You start with the first color. Computer colors a section with the second color. Your turn – can’t touch area with same color You color with the third and the computer with the fourth. One coloring the largest area wins.