2022 AMC 8 Problem 23 - Math Gold Medalist

Lor

2022 AMC 8

Problem 23

A $\triangle$ or $\bigcirc$ is placed in each of the nine squares in a $3$ -by- $3$ grid. Shown below is a sample configuration with three $\triangle$ s in a line. $[asy] //diagram by kante314 size(3.3cm); defaultpen(linewidth(1)); real r = 0.37; path equi = r * dir(-30) -- (r+0.03) * dir(90) -- r * dir(210) -- cycle; draw((0,0)--(0,3)--(3,3)--(3,0)--cycle); draw((0,1)--(3,1)--(3,2)--(0,2)--cycle); draw((1,0)--(1,3)--(2,3)--(2,0)--cycle); draw(circle((3/2,5/2),1/3)); draw(circle((5/2,1/2),1/3)); draw(circle((3/2,3/2),1/3)); draw(shift(0.5,0.38) * equi); draw(shift(1.5,0.38) * equi); draw(shift(0.5,1.38) * equi); draw(shift(2.5,1.38) * equi); draw(shift(0.5,2.38) * equi); draw(shift(2.5,2.38) * equi); [/asy]$ How many configurations will have three $\triangle$ s in a line and three $\bigcirc$ s in a line?

$\textbf{(A) } 39 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 42 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 78 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 84 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 96$

Related Ideas

Casework

Complement Rule

Hint

2 lines can be vertical or horizontal

Case 1) There are exactly 3 lines

Case 2) There are exactly 2 lines