# Matchstick puzzle next version

Here is a matchstick equation which is obviously wrong.

18019=1

Make the equation correct by moving "fewest" matchsticks (my solution involves 3 moves).

You may use numbers, letters, Roman Numerals but only as below

1 matchstick used for - or / (subtract or divide)

2 Matchsticks used for I and 1 AND +, =, X (multiply)

3 for L,T,Y and 7

4 for C,F,J,K,V,X,Z AND 4

5 for E,H,P,S,U and 2,3,5

6 for A,D,G,M,N,O,R,W and 0,6,9

7 for B,Q and 8

You can use spaces between numbers to insert only one thing like function or number. **

NO INEQUALITY OR > OR < allowed

My solution is by 1 shift only. (n_palum says it is one shift only due to division being a single match movement. I concur with him on that.)

• I'd say that's just 1 shift since / counts as 1 according to the rules. Nice find! – n_plum May 24 '17 at 13:55

Not sure if this is allowed, but it does not look to be prohibited.

1 move.

from the first 1, move the top matchstick, below the second one and you get
$1^{8019} = 1$ which is true

• That's a clever solution! – A.D. May 25 '17 at 4:56
• Technically, that gives $1^{8019=1}$ – lioness99a May 25 '17 at 8:28
• Why you have to ruin it for me? :) You are kind of right. I can move 2 more the top stick from the = sign lower and the top stick from the 1 after the = sign to make it look ok. Soe I'm still in the allowed margin of 3 moves. – Marius May 25 '17 at 8:37

4 sticks -

$100 - 0 = C$

Moved 4 sticks.

2 shifts:

10 / 010 = 1