[Math] Recursive formula for tiling checkerboard

combinatoricsinductionrecursion

The question asks to find a recursive formula for $t(n)$ where $t(n)$ denotes the number of tilings a $2\times n$ checkerboard using only $1\times 1$ tiles and $L$-tiles (formed by removing the upper right $1\times 1$ square from the $2\times 2$ tile) requires. The $L$-tiles can be rotated any way.

I began by trying to do a mathematical induction proof but I don't know if I am approaching this the right way. Any help would be appreciated.

Best Answer

Draw the $2\times n$, for some reasonable number $n$. We will concentrate on the left end of your picture.

The two squares at the end could be filled with two $1\times 1$ tiles. The rest can be done in $t(n-1)$ ways.

There could be one $1\times 1$ tile at the left end, on the top or on the bottom. The remaining square can be filled by an L in $1$ way, and the rest of the $2\times n$ in $t(n-2)$ ways, for a total of $2t(n-2)$.

Or else the there could be an $L$ filling both squares on the left ($2$ ways), with the remaining square filled by a $1\times 1$. That again gives $2t(n-2)$.

Or else we can have an L on the left filling both squares, and an interlocking L. That gives $2t(n-3)$ ways of filling the rest.

The recurrence is therefore $$t(n)=t(n-1)+4t(n-2)+2t(n-3).$$

For completeness, one should give initial conditions $t(0)$, $t(1)$, $t(2)$.