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Take 4 matchsticks and set them out in this pattern:

VII

In mathematics this is 7 in Roman numerals. Now move just a single matchstick and the answer should be 1 (one).

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7 Answers 7

43
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You

move the right-most matchstick to go above the others and horizontal,

so that

the matches spell out $\sqrt{1}$, which is of course 1.

Like this:

moving matches

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    $\begingroup$ This is only the correct answer if you focus on the positive side of life. $\endgroup$ Aug 23, 2017 at 18:46
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Move

one of the I's to the beginning

like so:

I V I which in logic and proper numerals is 1 or 1

giving

the answer true

which is

binary value of 1

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Turn the V into an X (XII). In Polish notation this is '* 1 1' = 1.

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    $\begingroup$ That's very creative $\endgroup$
    – smci
    Aug 22, 2017 at 11:45
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    $\begingroup$ This is a different kind of Polishing. $\endgroup$ Aug 22, 2017 at 13:48
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I'd say you can

strike through the V with an I, so that the V is a mistake! This gives VI which is one.

I kept thinking that the answer must be in Roman numerals and thus came up with this.

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10
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You

take the right-most matchstick, and polish it until it has a mirror-like sheen, then place it above the others and look at it at from a very low viewpoint, so that the matchsticks and their reflection look

like this:

/\ |
\/ |

which reads

01

PS

Best of luck with the polishing ;)

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  • $\begingroup$ Ho ho ho, very smart $\endgroup$
    – smci
    Aug 22, 2017 at 11:44
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Other answers are really so weird... Should not it be like this:

Move the first match below the two last matches
/||
 |

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to Puzzling.SE. This is a very good first try :) $\endgroup$
    – ABcDexter
    Aug 22, 2017 at 11:34
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Moving the last match to the first position makes: IVI. This is the roman numeral for one thousand (since the question didn't specify one of what).

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