Mixing
A Matchstick puzzle with a little twist
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Here is a matchstick puzzle with TWO (possibly more) solutions.
There are two types of matchsticks.
1 Short (eight and = sign) Total 9
2 Long ( All ones) Total 4
Please move 3 matchsticks and make the equation right.
Rules
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only.
I have 2 solutions: One kind of obvious but another requires lateral thinking which is what I am looking for. Please give both the answers together
lateral-thinking matches
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Here is a matchstick puzzle with TWO (possibly more) solutions.
There are two types of matchsticks.
1 Short (eight and = sign) Total 9
2 Long ( All ones) Total 4
Please move 3 matchsticks and make the equation right.
Rules
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only.
I have 2 solutions: One kind of obvious but another requires lateral thinking which is what I am looking for. Please give both the answers together
lateral-thinking matches
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
1
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Here is a matchstick puzzle with TWO (possibly more) solutions.
There are two types of matchsticks.
1 Short (eight and = sign) Total 9
2 Long ( All ones) Total 4
Please move 3 matchsticks and make the equation right.
Rules
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only.
I have 2 solutions: One kind of obvious but another requires lateral thinking which is what I am looking for. Please give both the answers together
lateral-thinking matches
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
Here is a matchstick puzzle with TWO (possibly more) solutions.
There are two types of matchsticks.
1 Short (eight and = sign) Total 9
2 Long ( All ones) Total 4
Please move 3 matchsticks and make the equation right.
Rules
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only.
I have 2 solutions: One kind of obvious but another requires lateral thinking which is what I am looking for. Please give both the answers together
lateral-thinking matches
lateral-thinking matches
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
asked 1 hour ago
DEEM
4,2421180
4,2421180
1
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago
1
1
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Possible solution:
Move a long stick from the left next to the 1 on the right making 118=11. Then move the small stick from the middle of the 8 turning it to a 0 and move it next to the 11 making 110=11- . Then move another long one after the minus making 10 = 11 - 1
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
I may have a solution
If you make the 8 a two, move one of the 1s over to the right side(to make 11), subtract a 12 from a 1(on the left), and take the leftover stick from the two to be -11.
To look like
1-12=-11
If this if right, I will may add a picture.
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Based on the initial rules which I have observed
Rules:
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only
Lets start with some basic principles:
Assumption 1:
Since minimum 1 long stick has to be used, this implies that the following numbers are not possible >
4 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
7 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
Assumption 2:
Same matchstick cannot be moved back & forth (counts as 2 moves to reach same result), but moving a difference matchstick does (i.e. I can move 1 long matchstick from left to right, and move another long matchstick from right to left of Equal sign
Assumption 3:
Mathematical operators (eg +, - , = ) can be formed by either long or short sticks, especially + & = can be formed by a mixture of long & short sticks.
Legend:
L - Long matchstick
S - Short matchstick
Possible solutions:
Solution 1 (2L1S):
11 - 10 = 1
Step 1: Move 2nd L on left of Equal sign to most right
Step 2: Move Original L on right of Equal sign to left
Step 3: Move centre S of the 8 between 2nd and 3rd L on left of Equal sign (forming 11-10)
Solution 2 (1L2S):
11 - 0 = 10
Step 1: Move 3rd L from left of Equal sign to move right
Step 2: Move centre S to bottom of = sign
Step 3: Move top S of Equal sign to left of 0 (making it 11 - 0 = 10)
Pretty sure there are more than 2 solutions which these are possible ....
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Possible solution:
Move a long stick from the left next to the 1 on the right making 118=11. Then move the small stick from the middle of the 8 turning it to a 0 and move it next to the 11 making 110=11- . Then move another long one after the minus making 10 = 11 - 1
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Possible solution:
Move a long stick from the left next to the 1 on the right making 118=11. Then move the small stick from the middle of the 8 turning it to a 0 and move it next to the 11 making 110=11- . Then move another long one after the minus making 10 = 11 - 1
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Possible solution:
Move a long stick from the left next to the 1 on the right making 118=11. Then move the small stick from the middle of the 8 turning it to a 0 and move it next to the 11 making 110=11- . Then move another long one after the minus making 10 = 11 - 1
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
Possible solution:
Move a long stick from the left next to the 1 on the right making 118=11. Then move the small stick from the middle of the 8 turning it to a 0 and move it next to the 11 making 110=11- . Then move another long one after the minus making 10 = 11 - 1
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
edited 32 mins ago
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
answered 38 mins ago
gabbo1092
1,653122
1,653122
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
I may have a solution
If you make the 8 a two, move one of the 1s over to the right side(to make 11), subtract a 12 from a 1(on the left), and take the leftover stick from the two to be -11.
To look like
1-12=-11
If this if right, I will may add a picture.
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
I may have a solution
If you make the 8 a two, move one of the 1s over to the right side(to make 11), subtract a 12 from a 1(on the left), and take the leftover stick from the two to be -11.
To look like
1-12=-11
If this if right, I will may add a picture.
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
I may have a solution
If you make the 8 a two, move one of the 1s over to the right side(to make 11), subtract a 12 from a 1(on the left), and take the leftover stick from the two to be -11.
To look like
1-12=-11
If this if right, I will may add a picture.
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
I may have a solution
If you make the 8 a two, move one of the 1s over to the right side(to make 11), subtract a 12 from a 1(on the left), and take the leftover stick from the two to be -11.
To look like
1-12=-11
If this if right, I will may add a picture.
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
edited 42 mins ago
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
answered 43 mins ago
QuantumTwinkie
13.3k22181
13.3k22181
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
1
1
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
Looks nice to me.
– Evargalo
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Based on the initial rules which I have observed
Rules:
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only
Lets start with some basic principles:
Assumption 1:
Since minimum 1 long stick has to be used, this implies that the following numbers are not possible >
4 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
7 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
Assumption 2:
Same matchstick cannot be moved back & forth (counts as 2 moves to reach same result), but moving a difference matchstick does (i.e. I can move 1 long matchstick from left to right, and move another long matchstick from right to left of Equal sign
Assumption 3:
Mathematical operators (eg +, - , = ) can be formed by either long or short sticks, especially + & = can be formed by a mixture of long & short sticks.
Legend:
L - Long matchstick
S - Short matchstick
Possible solutions:
Solution 1 (2L1S):
11 - 10 = 1
Step 1: Move 2nd L on left of Equal sign to most right
Step 2: Move Original L on right of Equal sign to left
Step 3: Move centre S of the 8 between 2nd and 3rd L on left of Equal sign (forming 11-10)
Solution 2 (1L2S):
11 - 0 = 10
Step 1: Move 3rd L from left of Equal sign to move right
Step 2: Move centre S to bottom of = sign
Step 3: Move top S of Equal sign to left of 0 (making it 11 - 0 = 10)
Pretty sure there are more than 2 solutions which these are possible ....
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Based on the initial rules which I have observed
Rules:
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only
Lets start with some basic principles:
Assumption 1:
Since minimum 1 long stick has to be used, this implies that the following numbers are not possible >
4 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
7 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
Assumption 2:
Same matchstick cannot be moved back & forth (counts as 2 moves to reach same result), but moving a difference matchstick does (i.e. I can move 1 long matchstick from left to right, and move another long matchstick from right to left of Equal sign
Assumption 3:
Mathematical operators (eg +, - , = ) can be formed by either long or short sticks, especially + & = can be formed by a mixture of long & short sticks.
Legend:
L - Long matchstick
S - Short matchstick
Possible solutions:
Solution 1 (2L1S):
11 - 10 = 1
Step 1: Move 2nd L on left of Equal sign to most right
Step 2: Move Original L on right of Equal sign to left
Step 3: Move centre S of the 8 between 2nd and 3rd L on left of Equal sign (forming 11-10)
Solution 2 (1L2S):
11 - 0 = 10
Step 1: Move 3rd L from left of Equal sign to move right
Step 2: Move centre S to bottom of = sign
Step 3: Move top S of Equal sign to left of 0 (making it 11 - 0 = 10)
Pretty sure there are more than 2 solutions which these are possible ....
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Based on the initial rules which I have observed
Rules:
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only
Lets start with some basic principles:
Assumption 1:
Since minimum 1 long stick has to be used, this implies that the following numbers are not possible >
4 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
7 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
Assumption 2:
Same matchstick cannot be moved back & forth (counts as 2 moves to reach same result), but moving a difference matchstick does (i.e. I can move 1 long matchstick from left to right, and move another long matchstick from right to left of Equal sign
Assumption 3:
Mathematical operators (eg +, - , = ) can be formed by either long or short sticks, especially + & = can be formed by a mixture of long & short sticks.
Legend:
L - Long matchstick
S - Short matchstick
Possible solutions:
Solution 1 (2L1S):
11 - 10 = 1
Step 1: Move 2nd L on left of Equal sign to most right
Step 2: Move Original L on right of Equal sign to left
Step 3: Move centre S of the 8 between 2nd and 3rd L on left of Equal sign (forming 11-10)
Solution 2 (1L2S):
11 - 0 = 10
Step 1: Move 3rd L from left of Equal sign to move right
Step 2: Move centre S to bottom of = sign
Step 3: Move top S of Equal sign to left of 0 (making it 11 - 0 = 10)
Pretty sure there are more than 2 solutions which these are possible ....
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
Based on the initial rules which I have observed
Rules:
Must move 3 matchsticks, one or two moves not allowed.
Cannot remove matchsticks
Must move at least one of each type ( either 2 long ones and 1 short or 1 long one and 2 short)
No < or > or "not equal to" allowed
No looking from the top or mirror image
Except for 1, other digits (2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) use short match sticks only
Lets start with some basic principles:
Assumption 1:
Since minimum 1 long stick has to be used, this implies that the following numbers are not possible >
4 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
7 - 3 short sticks need to be moved
Assumption 2:
Same matchstick cannot be moved back & forth (counts as 2 moves to reach same result), but moving a difference matchstick does (i.e. I can move 1 long matchstick from left to right, and move another long matchstick from right to left of Equal sign
Assumption 3:
Mathematical operators (eg +, - , = ) can be formed by either long or short sticks, especially + & = can be formed by a mixture of long & short sticks.
Legend:
L - Long matchstick
S - Short matchstick
Possible solutions:
Solution 1 (2L1S):
11 - 10 = 1
Step 1: Move 2nd L on left of Equal sign to most right
Step 2: Move Original L on right of Equal sign to left
Step 3: Move centre S of the 8 between 2nd and 3rd L on left of Equal sign (forming 11-10)
Solution 2 (1L2S):
11 - 0 = 10
Step 1: Move 3rd L from left of Equal sign to move right
Step 2: Move centre S to bottom of = sign
Step 3: Move top S of Equal sign to left of 0 (making it 11 - 0 = 10)
Pretty sure there are more than 2 solutions which these are possible ....
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
answered 36 mins ago
Kryesec
3816
3816
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fpuzzling.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f74084%2fa-matchstick-puzzle-with-a-little-twist%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
1
Is it allowed to write '1' with two short matchsticks ?
– Evargalo
1 hour ago
I am sorry but no. Like I said 1 is 1 long matchstick
– DEEM
47 mins ago
What about other symbols? Does = have to be small matchsticks? What about + and -?
– Golden Dragon
43 mins ago
Don't be sorry ! The rules are yours to choose, I just wanted to make sure.
– Evargalo
43 mins ago