IKMC 2027 - Grades 7-8 - Self-study SET 5 - Thematic Batch 3 Question 24

An 8 ×8 sheet of square-grid paper is given. What is the smallest number of V-triominoes (shape 2) that must be cut out so that no further V-triomino can be cut from the remaining paper?

Editorial note: Cuts follow the square grid, and the V shape may be rotated.