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Four Colors Are Better Than More

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In writing this paper I have found that I have merely scratched the surface on several different aspects of the Four Color Problem (or the “Four Color Theorem” as it is often referred to, as well.) However, as you will see, I briefly touched on several key points such as the history of the problem and where it originated. After doing some research I was able to find information on some of the most influential men that put their hearts and minds into solving or proving the Four Colors Theorem. Almost all of the formulas and theories given in the text I read were well above my comprehension level, but I do highlight some of these without going into much detail. There were several attempts at proving these theories for nearly a century. However, it was not until 1976 when two mathematicians at the University of Illinois, proved that using four colors when coloring in a map would suffice. This is where the story begins. Have you ever looked at a map and wondered why it is colored or why if the number of colors were significant? Did you ever see the colors on a map as a mathematical conundrum? No? Neither did I … until I learned about the Four Color Problem. So, what is this Four Color Problem, you ask? The actual definition, so simply put, according to the writers at www.mathisfun.com, is “A theorem that if you try to color in a map, you only need four colors to complete it so that no two areas touching it were the same color.” This paper will take you
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