2004 AMC 12B Problem 20
Problem 20 of 25HarderGeometryCounting & Probability
Each face of a cube is painted either red or blue, each with probability The color of each face is determined independently. What is the probability that the painted cube can be placed on a horizontal surface so that the four vertical faces are all the same color?
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Solution
There are colorings. A suitable orientation exists when all six faces are one color ( ways), exactly five faces are one color ( ways), or four faces are one color with the other color on a pair of opposite faces ( ways). That is favorable colorings, so the probability is
Thus, the correct answer is B.