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#1 2005-11-08 13:20:31
- Math Guy
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- Registered: 2005-10-12
- Posts: 20
Matchstick Puzzler
RAY: This puzzler is from the matchstick series. Imagine, if you will, that you have four matchsticks of equal length. From those, you can easily make a square.
At each of the vertices, there is a right angle, or a ninety-degree angle, so there are four right angles.
TOM: I'm with you!
RAY: Now, using those same four matchsticks, make not 4 but 16 ninety-degree angles.
You might say, "Can I use the third dimension?" You can use any dimension you want.
I should mention, you are not allowed to fold, bend, break staple, or mutilate the matches in any other way.
TOM: Can you use mirrors?
*Leave your response here! Please!
RAY: No, but that shows you're on the right track.
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#2 2005-11-08 16:28:18
- MathsIsFun
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- Registered: 2005-01-21
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Re: Matchstick Puzzler
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
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#3 2005-11-09 06:18:44
- mathsyperson
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- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: Matchstick Puzzler
I'm not good at visualising things, so I don't know if MathsIsFun's solution works. Here's mine.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
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#4 2005-11-09 08:44:42
- MathsIsFun
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Re: Matchstick Puzzler
Doh! It's neater than mine!
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
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#5 2005-11-09 17:20:18
- justlookingforthemoment
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- Registered: 2005-05-26
- Posts: 2,161
Re: Matchstick Puzzler
No! It doesn't show on the pink background.
Last edited by justlookingforthemoment (2005-11-09 17:20:41)
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#6 2005-11-15 12:28:09
- Math Guy
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- Registered: 2005-10-12
- Posts: 20
Re: Matchstick Puzzler
congratulations all, it looks like a !
Last edited by MathsIsFun (2005-11-15 17:15:29)
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#7 2005-11-15 17:16:45
- MathsIsFun
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- Registered: 2005-01-21
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Re: Matchstick Puzzler
... I muffled your answer. 
Great little puzzle.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
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#8 2005-11-15 20:49:34
- jU
- Real Member
- Registered: 2005-08-17
- Posts: 1,923
Re: Matchstick Puzzler
yes it is
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#9 2005-11-29 15:07:39
- Mick
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- Registered: 2005-11-29
- Posts: 1
Re: Matchstick Puzzler
I hope I do this right, I am looking for the history and origin of the matchstick puzzle. Does anyone know where I might find this information?
Thank you in advance
Mick
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