AP On-line

ARMwitters 01

Oct 2002 - ACORNPUBLISHER
ARMwitters is a monthly puzzle page in AP On-line. Puzzles may be related to Acorn Publisher, computers, design, or nothing other than being puzzling questions. Anyone can send in answers. Good answers may be published here and some may generate prizes - all at the discretion of the editor whose decision will always be final. by Fred
< • i >

If you're a subscriber to Acorn Publisher magazine, this month's ARMwitters can win you a subscription extension or, for non-subscribers, a reduced cost subscription. One correct answer will be chosen at random. The biggest prize is that the best answers, chosen for being correct, clearly explained, apposite, solved by computer or humorous, will be included in ARMwitters together with their authors' names.
ARMwitters number 1 is a simple puzzle. If you're used to dealing with computers then it should be very simple (that's a clue).

The first array below shows the name of our sister magazine - ACORNPUBLISHER - without a space. The first question is simple. Moving orthogonally across the grid (right or down), and able to change direction after any step, how many different ways are there of spelling out the name ACORNPUBLISHER?

A C O R N P U B L I S H E R
C O R N P U B L I S H E R
O R N P U B L I S H E R
R N P U B L I S H E R
N P U B L I S H E R
P U B L I S H E R
U B L I S H E R
B L I S H E R
L I S H E R
I S H E R
S H E R
H E R
E R
R


Unless you intend spending hours on the problem, can you say how your solution is linked to computers?
The final part of the problem requires you to think backwards. How many ways of are there of spelling out the name ACORNPUBLISHER this time?

A
A C
A C O
A C O R
A C O R N
A C O R N P
A C O R N P U
A C O R N P U B
A C O R N P U B L
A C O R N P U B L I
A C O R N P U B L I S
A C O R N P U B L I S H
A C O R N P U B L I S H E
A C O R N P U B L I S H E R



Questions:
  1. How many ways are there of spelling out ACORNPUBLISHER in the first grid?
  2. How is your solution, if correct, connected to computers?
  3. How many ways are there of spelling out ACORNPUBLISHER in the second grid?
Initially published October 2002 Answers to ARMwitters number 01 should be sent by e-mail to ARMwitters01@aponline.co.uk and should be received by the end of November 2002. The closing date has been extended to give readers of Acorn Publisher magazine time to find and solve the problem. Answers should include the method used to find the solution and the 'correct' answer will be deemed to be the one that obtains a solution with least effort and is best explained. The editor's decision will be final.
October 2002

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