The top of a table is rectangular and its dimensions are 6' × 10'. Two rectangular portions of the table top are painted in blue…

Question

The top of a table is rectangular and its dimensions are 6' × 10'. Two rectangular portions of the table top are painted in blue colour; both these portions have dimensions 2.5' × 8' and each of them has exactly two sides common with two edges of the table top. If the table is fixed to the ground and the remaining portion of the table top is painted in white, how many different patterns are possible when observed from above?

1. A. 2
2. B. 4 (Correct answer)
3. C. 6
4. D. 8

Correct Answer

Option B — 4

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option B (4).

Key Points

• Each 2.5' × 8' blue strip must sit in a corner (two sides common with two edges); the 8' side runs along a 10' edge and the 2.5' side along a 6' edge.
• Two such strips cannot share the *same* long (10') edge (their 8' lengths would overlap), so they must occupy corners on different long edges.

Additional Information

• The valid non-overlapping corner pairs are exactly four (top-left with bottom-left, top-left with bottom-right, top-right with bottom-left, top-right with bottom-right). Since the table is fixed, these four are distinct patterns → Option B.