Four Color Problem
Ice Breaker Activity
The Four Color Problem
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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 –
Mission
Your
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
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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 …
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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.