In the mid-1800's, a popular mathematical problem that was unsolved involved map coloring. The problem was, how many different colors must you have available if you want to color a map so that countries that share a boundary line are not colored the same color?

A boundary line is considered a line that seperates countries, states, or regions. When you look at a map of the US, you see many states that share a boundary line, but have you noticed that whomever colored the map, made sure that no states that shared a boundary line are the same color?

In this web-based activity, you and a partner will be investigating this very type of problem.

1. Read the story The Story of the Young Map Colorer.

2. Print out all four maps at the end of the story.

3. Work with a partner to try to color the maps with the least number of different colors. However, remember that you may not color any sections that share a boundary line the same color.

4. Be prepared to share your maps with the class and discuss how you solve the problem.