Problems based on grids/chessboards have been asked in the CAT and other MBA entrance
exams over the years. They seem really difficult when you encounter them for the first time but
once you get the hang of things they become really simple. The key lies in understanding the
basic concepts involved.
The most common grid structure that we are all familiar with is the chessboard. Let us look at
some of the common questions based upon grid.
Q1. What is the number of squares on a chessboard?
Squares of size 1x1 = 8^2 = 64
Squares of size 2x2 = 7^2 = 49
.
.
Squares of size 8x8 = 1^2 = 1
Total number of squares = 1 + 4 + 9 .. 49 + 64 = 204
You could have also used the formula 1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 n^2 = n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
In this case, you would have got = 8*9*17/6 = 12*17 = 204
Total ways (if the red rectangle was not there) = 10C4 = 210
PQ is the road which has been removed. It would make all the routes which included the road PQ
as invalid.
So, all routes consisting of APQB will be invalid
A to P = 5C3 = 10
P to Q = 1
Q to B = 4C3 = 4
Invalid ways = 10 x 1 x 4 = 40
Total valid ways = 210 40 = 170 ways
[CAT 2008] The figure below shows the plan of a town. The streets are at right angles to each
other. A rectangular park (P) is situated inside the town with a diagonal road running through it.
There is also a prohibited region (D) in the town.
Q9. Neelam rides her bicycle from her house at A to her office at B, taking the shortest path.
Then the number of possible shortest paths that she can choose is