[MOVED] Relocate match-sticks so that there are only 4 squar

[Mustang1910]

This question is from the ABACUS International Math Challenge for 7th- and 8th-graders, dated September, 2005:

The 5 squares on the diagram below are made of match sticks. (Every side is a stick.) Relocate (move to a different location) two match sticks on the table, so there are only 4 squares of the same size as the original squares.

The diagram looks something like this:

            +-----+-----+
            |     |     |
            |     |     |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+
|     |     |     |
|     |     |     |
+-----+-----+-----+

You can see the source here; it's problem C.489.
________________________
Edited by stapel -- Reason for edit: Grammar, formatting, etc.

 

[stapel]

Are you supposed to relocate the two matchsticks to another portion of the diagram, or can you remove them entirely?

Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[soroban]

Re: [MOVED] Relocate match-sticks so that there are only 4 s

Hello, Mustang1910!

This is a classic puzzle . . .

Relocate (move to a different location) two matchsticks on the table, so there are only 4 squares of the same size as the original.

Move the two red matchsticks to their new location.


- . . - - - - - *---*---*
- . . - - - - - | -- | -- |
. . . *---*---*---*---*
. . . | -- | -- | -- |
. . . *---*---*---*


. . . . . . *---*---*---*
. . . . . . | -- | -- | -- |
. . . *---*---*---*---*
. . . | -- | -- | -- |
. . . *---*---*---*

 

[Mustang1910]

Thanks Soroban.....It makes sense to me now!