7.5. What is the minimum number of 3-cell corners that need to be painted in a square so that no more corners can be painted? (Painted corners must not overlap.)
Problem 714
Official solution
Answer: 6.
Solution. Let the cells of a square be painted in such a way that no more corners can be painted. Then, in each square, at least 2 cells are painted, otherwise, a corner in this square can still be painted. By dividing the square into 9 squares, we get that at least cells are painted. Therefore, at least 6 corners are painted.
Figure 3 shows how to paint 6 corners so that no more corners can be painted.
Comment. It is proven that the number of painted corners is no less than points.
An example with 6 painted corners is drawn - 3 points.
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Figure 3