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Match Problem


MatchstickProblem

The match problem asks for the number of topologically distinct connected planar arrangements made from n matches (rigid unit line segments) (Gardner 1991). In this problem, two matches laid end-to-end with no third match at their meeting point are considered equivalent to a single match, so triangles are equivalent to squares, n-match tails are equivalent to 1-match tails, etc.

The arrangements are counted up to homeomorphism of graphs, ignoring subdivisions at vertices of vertex degree 2. The parameter n counts the original matches, rather than the edges remaining after graph smoothing. The first counts for n=1, 2, ... are 1, 1, 3, 5, 10, 19, 39, 84, 196, 479, ... (OEIS A003055).


See also

Gardner's Cigarette Problem, Graph Smoothing, Graph Subdivision, Homeomorphic Graphs, Matchstick Graph, Planar Graph, Polynema, Topological Graph, Unit-Distance Graph

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References

Gardner, M. "The Problem of the Six Matches." In The Unexpected Hanging and Other Mathematical Diversions. Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press, pp. 79-81, 1991.Read, R. C. "From Forests to Matches." J. Recr. Math. 1, 60-172, Jul. 1968.Sloane, N. J. A. Sequence A003055/M2464 in "The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences."

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Match Problem

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Match Problem." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/MatchProblem.html

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