I got a puzzle from a book that asks to move one matchstick to get a valid equation. My "solutions" feels like cheating... Does anyone have a good idea? The original equation, layed out with matches, is
VI = V + VII
Puzzling Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for those who create, solve, and study puzzles. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this communityI got a puzzle from a book that asks to move one matchstick to get a valid equation. My "solutions" feels like cheating... Does anyone have a good idea? The original equation, layed out with matches, is
VI = V + VII
Move the right most I so that it forms a square root sign with the right most V. So it looks something like this: $VI=V+\sqrt{1}$
Something like this:
VII = V | VII (because 7=5|7, using bitwise |)
or:
VI ≠ V + VI
According to Wikipedia (emphasis added):
Zero
The number zero does not have its own Roman numeral, but the word nulla (the Latin word meaning "none") was used by medieval scholars in lieu of 0. Dionysius Exiguus was known to use nulla alongside Roman numerals in 525.[32][33] About 725, Bede or one of his colleagues used the letter N, the initial of nulla or of nihil (the Latin word for "nothing"), in a table of epacts, all written in Roman numerals.[34]
Therefore:
Move the final
I
to the front of the secondV
such that it forms an (italicised)N
and one gets:Which, in Arabic numerals, Bede (at very least) would have considered to be:VI = N + VI
6 = 0 + 6
How about this?
From: the right stroke of the right most V
To: intersect with the I on the right.
Outcome: VI=V+IxI (take x as multiplication sign)
Take the matchstick that makes the final
I
, snap it in two, and place each half beneath the initialV
to create anX
. You’d therefore have:XI = V + VI
Which, in Arabic numerals, is of course the valid equation:
11 = 5 + 6
How about:
moving the second I in VII so it turns the equal sign equal to a less than or equal sign (VI is less than or equal to V + VI)
Partial answer-ish
Looking at the first V, if you take the right match and cross it over the first match, you get
XI = V + VII
or11 = 5 + 7