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Matchstick Brain Teaser

December 21, 2015 | Elizabeth Knowles

20 matchsticks arranged in a shape. One square in the center with another square at each of its four corners for a total of five squares.

Can you move 4 matchsticks to create 6 squares instead of 5?

The trick to this puzzle is thinking about squares of different sizes. If you can make the whole shape into one big square then you only need five more. You can keep three of the original ones (along the diagonal) and create two mid-sized ones like this:

Solution to the matchstick problem

 

 

Matchstick puzzles like this one were first popularized in the 19th century. They can be recreated as physical puzzles using matches, toothpicks, straws or sticks. It requires good visualization skills to be able to solve them without actually moving the pieces.

Try this brain teaser next: Can You Solve This Card Master Puzzle?

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