4
$\begingroup$

I am trying to solve the following matchsticks puzzle:

Move two matches to make the following correct: enter image description here You also have to give 3 ways to do so.

Despite trying my best to solve this, I wasn't able to give 3 ways to do so. I could only think of one. Can someone please help me? Thank you.

Source: 450 multiple intelligence games that Harvard made for students puzzle book(translated, original title(in Chinese): 哈佛给学生做的450个多元智能顺练游戏)

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ While I have answered this puzzle below, it would be good if you could provide the source where you found it so that the original content creator is credited. Thanks :) $\endgroup$
    – Stiv
    Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 10:59
  • $\begingroup$ @Stiv, to be honest, I really do not know who created this puzzle. I actually found it inside a Chinese puzzle book that comes from Taiwan called "450 multiple intelligence games made by Harvard for students"(the Google translation of the title). I also didn't buy it, someone gave it to me. The original title of the book(in Chinese) is "哈佛给学生做的450个多元智能顺练游戏" $\endgroup$
    – Pilot
    Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 11:06
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Okay, maybe just mention that in the question itself following "Source:" - all non-original puzzles posted on PSE should be credited somehow, so we can avoid any messy accusations of plagiarism. I think that would probably be sufficient :) $\endgroup$
    – Stiv
    Commented Nov 16, 2020 at 11:09

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
9
$\begingroup$

You can solve this puzzle as follows:

enter image description here

...producing the equations:

$$1 + 9 - 2 = 8$$
$$1 + 9 - 8 = 2$$
$$1 + 5 + 0 = 6$$

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The second solution is incredibly straightforward. $\endgroup$
    – Helena
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 11:42
6
$\begingroup$

Three more (variations on a single theme):

![enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

Solution 1:

move the 2 vertical matches from 5 to turn 5 into a 2. and you get $1 + 9 - 8 = 2$

Solution 2:

remove 1 match from 9 to make it a 5 and remove the center match from 8. Add them as follows. 1 add it over the minus to make it a plus. one add it vertically to the 5 after the equal sign to make it a 6. You get $1 + 5 + 0 = 6$

Solution 3:

take 2 matched from the 8 transforming it to 2. Move the matches to the 5 making it an 8. You get $1 + 9 - 2 = 8$

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

Here are three more solutions different to the ones given already

Solution 1

Remove two matches like so
enter image description here
Then flip your screen upside down
enter image description here

Solution 2

Remove one match and move one match like so
enter image description here
Then flip your screen upside down
enter image description here

Solution 3

Move two matches like so
enter image description here
Then flip your screen upside down
enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

All the obvious answers have been posted so here's a less orthodox one:

1+9-8<5

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
9
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ This is not an equation. $\endgroup$
    – Marius
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 7:21
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Marius The puzzle says "make the equation correct". Not "make the equation a correct equation." This is correct. $\endgroup$
    – Comic Sans Seraphim
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 12:13
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ exactly...and a<b is not an equation. it's an inequation. So your answer is not correct. I'm not saying the inequation is not correct...the answer is not. $\endgroup$
    – Marius
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 13:35
  • $\begingroup$ @Marius Where did I say a<b was an equation? $\endgroup$
    – Comic Sans Seraphim
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 13:39
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ the title says "Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct, and give 3 ways to do so". But let's say you are right and stop this discussion, because it's not helping anyone. $\endgroup$
    – Marius
    Commented Nov 17, 2020 at 14:17
1
$\begingroup$

There seems to be at least 5 different ways to make it correct. Here are the 3 ways I found:

1 + 9 - 8 = 2
1 + 8 - 6 = 3
1 + 8 - 3 = 6

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.