Center of Gravity

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

             

3 match moves to balance symmetrically …Can you spot it?

[plainglazed]

[Perhaps check it again]

** This is my actual answer for the puzzle:

Slide the two middle vertical matchsticks down one matchstick length.

 

On the second line of three horizontal matchsticks, slide the middle matchstick

 

down until its ends join up with the open ends of the two matchsticks that were

 

previously slid down.  The figure should now look like a square cross.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Perhaps check it again

[Perhaps check it again]

    Here is a diagram of the solution:

 

                                 ______

                                 |           |

                       _____|           |_____

                       |                               |

                       |_____           _____|

                                 |          |

                                 |_____|

 

 

 

The broken lines do not represent two matchsticks.

 

There are meant to be 12 matchsticks in the above

figure.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Perhaps check it again

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

The cross will tilt to the right

[Perhaps check it again]

Incorrect, TimeSpaceLightForce.

In my explanation and diagram, I already showed that

it will be a

square cross.  It will not be off center.

Please look at those posts again.

 

Consider that your figure is already starting off with a vertical line

of symmetry.  Dropping the three matchsticks down in the way I

have indicated does not change that vertical line of symmetry.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Perhaps check it again

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Incorrect, TimeSpaceLightForce.

In my explanation and diagram, I already showed that

it will be a

square cross.  It will not be off center.

Please look at those posts again.

 

Consider that your figure is already starting off with a vertical line

of symmetry.  Dropping the three matchsticks down in the way I

have indicated does not change that vertical line of symmetry.

Check it again,perhaps you didnt considered the heads.. 

[Perhaps check it again]

No, I would have no reason to consider the [placement of the] heads, because it is a matchsticks puzzle.

 

The matchsticks puzzles have never limited themselves to placement of the heads.  If you had wanted

 

that extra condition, then you are changing what kind of traditional puzzle this is and not announcing in

 

the rules.

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

No, I would have no reason to consider the [placement of the] heads, because it is a matchsticks puzzle.

 

The matchsticks puzzles have never limited themselves to placement of the heads.  If you had wanted

 

that extra condition, then you are changing what kind of traditional puzzle this is and not announcing in

 

the rules.

Last time I checked , the title certainly refers to weight or mass (of sticks w/ head).

While matchsticks never limited themselves to matchstick puzzle of a traditional kind.

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

 

It does because the title is connected to the figure and the question..

 

The firgure are rectangles with elipse on top of one end.. no color, but common

sense tells us it represent an arrangement  of matchsticks that need to be modify

for higher symmetry..

 

You could see dozen solutions easily , Yet chosen the square cross..why not the 2x2 square? 

why not the tic-tac-toe? This is where you supposed start to wonder and recheck and 

reconsider everything.. or 'look inside the box'.

[bonanova]

the red ends cannot be taken into consideration,

It's not clear whether the back story to this post is the escape from constraint of anyone else's opinion, or simply the claim of absolute superiority of one's own thinking. This uncertainty is a meta-puzzle in itself, and it is one that may merit its own thread. However, this forum is for questions about logic and math, so if such a thread is started it should be placed in the Others forum.

Further posts of this type are subject to deletion.

Regarding the current thread, the author of the OP put "red ends" in his drawing, and he confirmed, when the question was raised, they are part of the required symmetry of the solving configuration.

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

This is a simple mechanics+ geometry puzzle..

I'm not sure if the "2015 MIT Mystery Hunt"  is a type of metapuzzle?

[bonanova]

Best I can do is to change four matches.

[plainglazed]

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Best I can do is to change four matches.

match4.gif

Almost that is it!

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

matchsticks2.jpg

When we cut it half through the center at any angle the two parts are the same shape or configuration..

Edited May 17, 2015 by TimeSpaceLightForce

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Lets see..

 

Not like how I imagine it ( center of gravity in x-y-z symmetry). But that is better!

 

The flat solution is to turn around the right side stick of top box..that will make the top box

and the lower right box symmetrical.. and the rest  are easy to form one like that of bonanova's "pisces"

 

 

[bonanova]

The flat solution is to turn around the right side stick of top box..that will make the top box

and the lower right box symmetrical.. and the rest are easy to form one like that of bonanova's "pisces"

 

 

Ah, yes... I had a notion of changing the right side rather than the left, but didn't follow through.

Nice one.

[bonanova]

Just to finish this one up, using TSLF's clue, here is a planar three-match solution.