What is the Three Color Problem?

This issue is a part of graph theory. It is well known that, given any separation of a plane into contiguous regions, producing a figure called a map, no more than four colors are required to color the regions of the map so that no two adjacent regions have the same color. But under what conditions would only three colors be required? That is a surprisingly knotty problem.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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36 Comments

standan

It reads like it's part of a graphic printing issue as well so there should be more then one answer

Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster

It is also an "issue" in graphic printing, so question is phrased incorrectly. Why have a theory unless there is an issue? That is the point, isn't it?

John Grove

The 'issue' exists also in graphic printing. So, as I've said before, these questions (answers) need to be vetted better.

fdeisner

I used a double chance and chose a graphing printing issue first. Glad I used the double chance.

deborahpmercer

I also went for graphic printing, but as people have been pedantic about some of my questions, I won't go overboard on thiis!

Antonio Ennio Linares

according to color theory this will have an issue when is printing, one color is missing,.. you know which one is....

Richard D. Boyle

After missing this question with the graphic printing option, I did some research and found that my answer my wrong answer is actually more accurate or at least AS accurate as the supposedly correct selection. Unhappy camper when my string is broken on such a controversial question. This should have been foreseen in vetting.