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Maths on the Map

How many colours do you need on a map?
How it Works
Place tiles to create coloured regions on a map. Can you place the tiles such that no two areas of the same colour touch?
Things to Try or Ask Around the Exhibit
- How many colours do you need to complete this challenge?
- Do you need more colours if the map gets more complicated?
Background
This type of map-colouring problem is a famous solved problem in mathematics. The related four colour theorem was the first major theorem to be proven using a computer.
Finding the Science in Your World
Problems like this one occur in a surprising number of places, from colouring actual maps to deciding where to place mobile phone towers.