SOLUTION: How many different ways are there to place four different digits from 1 to 4 inside the four square cells of a 2-by-2 grid (one digit per cell) such that for every pair of digits t

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Question 1132911: How many different ways are there to place four different digits from 1 to 4 inside the four square cells of a 2-by-2 grid (one digit per cell) such that for every pair of digits that are 1 apart (such as 2 and 3), their square cells share a side?
Answer by ikleyn(52817) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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You can place the digit "1" into any of 4 cells.


Then you have 2 and only 2 possible adjacent cells to place the digit "2" there.


After that, you have one and only one free adjacent cell to place the digit "3" there.


Finally, you have only 1 remaining cell to put the digit there "4" without any other choice.


Fortunately, this last cell is adjacent to "3", so all requirements are satisfied.


So, the full number of ways is 4*2 = 8 different placements.