[Interesting] Collection of Matchstick Quiz Problems
When it comes to moving or adding matchsticks to reach a specified answer, “matchstick puzzles” are a classic type of quiz.
In this article, we’ve gathered a collection of fun matchstick puzzle problems!
They may seem simple, but solving them actually requires flexible thinking and flashes of insight.
That’s why they’re so addictive—once you start, both kids and adults can’t help but get hooked!
If you’re “looking for interesting matchstick puzzle problems” or “want to discover a variety of matchstick puzzles,” be sure to check these out.
Play with friends or teammates, and it’s guaranteed to be a blast!
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[Interesting] Collection of Matchstick Quiz Problems (1–10)
Move one stick to make the number half.
A figure of the number 10 is drawn using eight matchsticks.
How can you move one stick to cut the number in half? First, look at the number sideways.
Then, if you move the left edge of the 0, it turns into the letter S, right! Some people might find it confusing that eight matchsticks are used.
In that case, it might be better to adjust it so that ten matchsticks are used as well.
Be sure to remember this and try quizzing your friends and family!
Move two sticks to make two houses.
Arrange matches into a square and add a triangle on top.
It looks like a little house, right? Now line up four of these.
From this setup, how do you move two matches to make it into two houses? By the way, you can’t break or remove any matches.
The answer is to connect the roofs and combine two houses into one.
If you actually try it, you’ll see it clearly looks like two houses.
Since it’s mainly a trompe-l’oeil style puzzle, even small children can solve it.
Move two sticks to remove all the triangles.
This is a classic matchstick puzzle.
There are three triangles made from three matchsticks each.
By moving two of the nine matchsticks, how can you eliminate the three triangles? At first glance, it seems impossible.
The key lies in the arrangement of the three triangles.
Take two matchsticks from the middle triangle and use them to form a minus sign and an equals sign.
This creates the equation: triangle − triangle =, which implies there are no triangles.
It has a riddle-like element, so you need flexible thinking to figure it out!
[Interesting] Matchstick Quiz Problems (11–20)
Move 2 sticks to reduce the number of squares from 5 to 4.
There are five squares arranged in two rows.
Think of the green Tetris piece—that might make it easier to visualize.
The figure is made up of 16 matchsticks.
By moving two of the matchsticks, how can you reduce the number of squares from five to four? The first idea that comes to mind is to remove the top sides of two squares and use them to form a new square.
But actually, there’s another solution to this puzzle! Problems with more than one answer are great for fostering children’s creativity.
Try to come up with the other solution yourself!
Move three matchsticks to increase the number of triangles.
The charm of matchstick puzzles is that they’re simple yet difficult, right? For those who want to tackle the simplest possible problems, I’d like to introduce a puzzle about increasing the number of triangles.
There are three triangles made from three matchsticks.
How can you move three of the matchsticks to increase the number of triangles? In fact, precisely because the problem is simple, there are many possible answers.
What answer did you come up with? It’s also fun to try it with multiple people and share your solutions with each other.
Can you divide the area of an equilateral triangle into three equal parts by adding matchsticks?
Matchstick puzzles are also great for learning about the areas of shapes.
As an introductory example, I recommend a problem where you divide the area of a triangle into three equal parts.
First, make a triangle using nine matchsticks.
Then, how can you add three more matchsticks to split its area into three equal parts? The key is not to insist on making triangles—any partition into three equal areas is fine.
If you place the matchsticks from the center to form a trapezoid, the solution will come into view.
Try tackling problems that divide the areas of other shapes as well!
Move five matchsticks to make an upside-down figure.
Some matchstick puzzles can be solved purely with a spark of insight.
What’s interesting is that while some people can solve these instantly, others can’t solve them at all.
A great quiz to test that kind of intuition is this problem: move five matchsticks to create an upside-down version of the figure.
There are 15 matchsticks stacked in a pyramid shape.
How can you turn this figure upside down? It could also be fun to compete in a group to see who can solve it the fastest.