Brain Teasers
Menacing Matchsticks IV
Trick
Trick brain teasers appear difficult at first, but they have a trick that makes them really easy.Trick
You will need eight matchsticks for this teaser.
Take six matchsticks and arrange them into a 2x1 rectangle. Next, take another matchstick and add it to one of the long sides of the matchsticks. Finally, take the last matchstick and add it to the other long side, in the same direction as the last matchstick you have laid. You should now have what looks like a glass of water.
Now, how can you increase the volume of the water by moving only two matchsticks?
You cannot:
Move the uppermost horizontal matchstick.
Submerge the matchsticks in the water.
Bend, break, or stack the matchsticks.
Take six matchsticks and arrange them into a 2x1 rectangle. Next, take another matchstick and add it to one of the long sides of the matchsticks. Finally, take the last matchstick and add it to the other long side, in the same direction as the last matchstick you have laid. You should now have what looks like a glass of water.
Now, how can you increase the volume of the water by moving only two matchsticks?
You cannot:
Move the uppermost horizontal matchstick.
Submerge the matchsticks in the water.
Bend, break, or stack the matchsticks.
Hint
Instead of trying to increase the volume of the water in the glass, try to increase the volume of water in general. Also, this teaser only works for water. It would not work with any other liquid.Answer
Take the center matchstick of the left side of the glass and place it horizontally under the glass. Next, move the center matchstick on the right side of the glass and place it vertically in the "U" formed by the top three matchsticks.Rotate the view 90 degrees clockwise. It should read ICE.
Water is the only liquid known that increases its volume when turned to ice.
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