Name: rhonda

Who is asking: Student
Level: Secondary

Question:
is there an actual equation for the four colour map theorem??? i cannot find it anywhere!! if so can you give a breif description on how it works!!

Thank you



Hi Rhonda,

The theorem is just that, a theorem, and it proves that any map in the plane can be coloured properly with just 4 colours. That is not the same as saying that there is an efficient algorithm to 4-colour any planar map; it just assures us that it can actually be done. Thus unless your map is quite small and not too complicated it may be a very difficult task indeed to actually colour it properly with 4-colours.

Cheers,

Penny



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