What are some possible solutions to this puzzle?

  • Thread starter Thread starter davenn
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fun Puzzle
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around identifying variations of a puzzle or problem, with participants sharing their findings and thoughts. Initially, one user mentions having five possibilities and seeks input from others, prompting a collaborative effort to uncover more variations. Several users confirm they have found the same five variations, with one user humorously questioning the validity of a solution due to a perceived violation of the conservation of mass principle. This leads to a lighthearted exchange about typos and the nature of the solutions, with users playfully correcting each other and discussing the nuances of their findings. Overall, the conversation highlights a mix of problem-solving, humor, and camaraderie among participants as they explore the topic.
davenn
Science Advisor
Gold Member
2024 Award
Messages
9,699
Reaction score
11,481
so far I have come up with 5 possibilities
Are there more ?
what one/ones did the originator think of ?
I won't post my answers till I see a few responses

maths1.jpg


Dave
 
Physics news on Phys.org
matches.jpg
 
  • Like
Likes davenn
yup that's one of them try for another couple :)
 
6-4≠4
 
  • Like
Likes collinsmark and davenn
Borek said:
6-4≠4

you are on to one of the good variations ... there are several of those
 
8-4=4
 
  • Like
Likes davenn
A regular one, less fun than Borek's:

8-4=4
 
  • Like
Likes davenn
Another one
0+4=4
Variation on Borek's method:
5+4≠4
 
Hee are four
5+4=9
8-4=4
5+4##\neq##4
6-4##\neq##4
Edit: although nothing anyone else didn't come up with, I see.
Edit edit: fixed typo (x2)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes davenn
  • #10
:smile:

awesome, between the 3 of you, you have covered the 5 that I found

I am not sure if there are others or not

Dave
 
  • #11
Ibix said:
Hee are four
5+4=9
8-4=4
5+4##\neq##4
6+4##\neq##4
Edit: although nothing anyone else didn't come up with, I see.

have you found the 5th one ? :wink:

you posted the edit while I was posting
 
  • #12
Yeah - I clicked on the spoiler in Samy's #8 and there it was. :wink:

I got the other four without looking.
 
  • Like
Likes davenn
  • #13
Ibix said:
6+4##\neq##4
I question this one on the grounds it violates conservation of mass: a matchstick has appeared magically where there was none before.
 
  • Like
Likes davenn and Ibix
  • #14
zoobyshoe said:
I question this one on the grounds it violates conservation of mass: a matchstick has appeared magically where there was none before.
Indeed - I've corrected the typo.
 
  • #15
Ibix said:
Indeed - I've corrected the typo.

you better go back and re-edit :wink:
you have 2 the same now
 
  • Like
Likes Ibix
  • #16
Gah! I think it's right now. I wish I'd been drinking yesterday so I had an excuse for that...
 
  • Like
Likes Electron Spin and davenn
  • #17
Wait - my original typo (preserved by Zooby) is valid if you are happy to accept a slightly malformed 6. Take the top bar of the 6 - the result is recognisably a 6. Or is that cheating?
 
  • #18
I could come up with only 3 new ones.

A: Take a match from either the 6 or + , and light the 6 and + on fire, leaving 4 = 4

B: Pick up any match, wave it in someones face and say; "I'm MOVING it.", and then put it back where it was, as the equation is correct in modulo 6. [ref]

C: 6 + 4 = 11 in base 9
 
  • Like
Likes davenn, Ibix and Samy_A
  • #19
zoobyshoe said:
I question this one on the grounds it violates conservation of mass: a matchstick has appeared magically where there was none before.
The energy of the unbalanced equation got converted to the atoms of a matchstick.
6=4=4 mod 2
6-H=4 for suitable H
6-4=H and a few more similar ways.
6+4+4 - it fixes the problem that there was an equation?
6-4=4 - then use the match to threaten someone to fix the equation in any way. You move one match to fix the equation.
 
  • Like
Likes davenn, Ibix and fuzzyfelt
  • #20
mfb said:
The energy of the unbalanced equation got converted to the atoms of a matchstick.
6=4=4 mod 2
6-H=4 for suitable H
6-4=H and a few more similar ways.
6+4+4 - it fixes the problem that there was an equation?
6-4=4 - then use the match to threaten someone to fix the equation in any way. You move one match to fix the equation.

You're solution #4 reminds me of a variation of my first solution

Take one match and light all the rest of them on fire.

ps. I can't stop laughing about your last one. :oldlaugh:
 
  • Like
Likes Electron Spin
Back
Top