Let A, B, C, D be the 4 squares in the centre of a grid of squares. These 4 squares form the centre of the grid. A frog can jump from one of the 4 squares in the centre to any square in the grid which shares a side. If the frog jumps out of the centre from a particular square for the first time, that square is called an exit square. Find the number of ways in which the frog can start from A with A being the exit square in jumps. Give your answer in terms of .
Solution
Let be labeled in the clockwise manner. Let be respectively the number of ways to start and exit from in jumps. Then . Since from , the frog can return to in an even number of jumps, when is even.
From , in 1 jump, the frog can exit from 2 sides or jump to or , Thus . Therefore for .
From , the frog can jump to or . So .
From , the frog can jump to or . So .
Therefore
Consequently, for .
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