Math with Matches


Here are a few samples of matchstick equation problems Alan Sagan designed for his math class. The rules of the game are:    
  1. You must use all the matchsticks.
  2. You can't break, bend, etc. any matchstick.
  3. Permitted symbols are: 0 through 9, +, -, /, X and =
  4. Using not equals (=/=) is not allowed!
  5. +, = and X are both 2 matchsticks each.
  6. All the sticks are the same size.
  7. All digits are two matches high.

Do not look for the solutions too quickly.
Some are easy, some real hard!

 
digi3.gif (120 bytes) digiplus.gif (96 bytes) digi2.gif (120 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi3.gif (120 bytes) = => digi3.gif (120 bytes) digiplus.gif (96 bytes) digi2.gif (120 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi5.gif (119 bytes) <=
move this one

Trivial example: Move 1 match 




digi1.gif (110 bytes) digi0.gif (135 bytes) digiplus.gif (96 bytes) digi3.gif (120 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi1.gif (110 bytes)

 Move 1 match  | Two solutions

Answer


digi1.gif (110 bytes) digiplus.gif (96 bytes) digi6.gif (128 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi0.gif (135 bytes)

Move 1 match 

Answer


digi6.gif (128 bytes) digiplus.gif (96 bytes) digi8.gif (137 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi3.gif (120 bytes)

 Move 1 match  |  Two solutions

Answer


digi5.gif (119 bytes) digimin.gif (76 bytes) digi4.gif (126 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi5.gif (119 bytes)

 Move 1 match  | Two solutions

Answer


digi5.gif (119 bytes) digimin.gif (76 bytes) digi5.gif (119 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi9.gif (133 bytes)

 Move 1 match  | Two solutions

Answer


digi2.gif (120 bytes) digideel.gif (94 bytes) digi8.gif (137 bytes) digiis.gif (79 bytes) digi1.gif (110 bytes) digi2.gif (120 bytes) digi5.gif (119 bytes) digi6.gif (128 bytes)

 Move 2 matches    

Answer


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If you find another solution please let us know.

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