21 replies to this topic

[rookie1ja]

Matchstick Equations - Back to the Matchstick Puzzles
Try to rectify a mistake by moving a single matchstick, to get the correct equation.
(Edit: you can not place any matchstick diagonally over the equals sign)

The following equation is made of 11 matches:
XI - V = IV (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 11 matches:
X + V = IV (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 10 matches:
L + L = L (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 12 matches:
VI = IV - III (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 14 matches:
XIV - V = XX

The following equation is made of 11 matches:
IX - IX = V

The following equation is made of 12 matches:
X = VIII - II

The following equation is made of 7 matches:
VII = I

This old topic is locked since it was answered many times. You can check solution in the Spoiler below.
Pls visit New Puzzles section to see always fresh brain teasers.

Spoiler for Solution

Matchstick Equations - solution
XI - V = IV (more solutions) ... X - VI = IV or XI - V = VI or XI - VI = V

X + V = IV (more solutions) ... IX - V = IV or X - VI = IV

L + L = L (more solutions) ... C - L = L or L + I = LI

VI = IV – III (more solutions) ... VI = IX – III or VI = IV + II

XIV - V = XX ... XV + V = XX

IX - IX = V ... IX - IV = V

X = VIII – II ... X - VIII = II

VII = I ... square root of 1

[Tap_521]

What? Confused!

[mrmogul321]

Hah, one thing you could do, is pick up a random match, and place it diagonally over the equals sign. Making the statement read, XI (doesnt equal) X.

[townsfolk]

1. move the I from XI over to after the V.
XI - V = IV
becomes:
X - VI = IV (10 - 6 = 4)

2. Move the I from the + to make it a -, and move it to after the V.
X + V = IV
becomes:
X - VI = IV (10 - 6 = 4)

[etanhappy]

Haha. square root of 1. Ha ha

[gutterpup]

Couldn't L + L = L also be changed with a movement of the plus sign matchstick to be L = L = L

and @ mogul, I thought of that same thing

[twilly]

i say we light all the matches and watch them burn

[nosmofui]

L+L=L

L+I=L I

[MCBergsma]

For the last one, why not
From:
VII = I

To:
II-I = I

?

[tandebauer]

The last one can not be solved
ll-l=l
that moves to many match sticks.