What is the biggest number you can make by moving exactly 2 matches in the number above?
Assume that numbers must be represented in their standard “digital clock” font (for example, a “1” requires two segments).
Solution
81151 is the biggest number.
The trick is you are not limited to just 3 digits! Break the “0” into two ones, and use those two matches to create a new “1” before the 5 (which gives you 15118). Then turn your head and view the whole thing upside-down:
(If you consider changing your perspective an unfair gimmick, 51181 would be the biggest number you could make.)
Enjoy matchstick puzzles?
Get a whole book of them
Disclosure: The post contains affiliate links, through which I may earn a small fee if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
980
is this not doable?
999
47
1509
15118
81151
1503
999
980 …..I can’t see how some of these people end up with 1500 1200 by sonly moving two matches
👍
985
51181
5118^11
1900
15118
999
9E8
Spot on 👍
These people obviously aren’t mathematicians
And it’s done without turning the phone upside down
985
980
990
990
5031
999
U r not exactly moving 2 matchsticks u r moving 4??
The answer is NOT 81151. Turning it upside down is moving ALL the matchsticks. The non-trick answer is 51181.
The idea is you turn your head around and view it from a different angle, rather than moving any matchsticks. But your perspective (that this is a gimmick or a trick) is equally valid.
The answer is 8118
my answer is 51181 , there has to be two matches to create the number one!!
correct
The highest number I can see is 151,181. There is no rule in the directions that says a number 1 has to be two matches in length.
The directions do state that a “1” requires two segments.
990
1505
5051
90E77 (90 to the power of 77) for a beginning. I expect there are better solutions based on this principle.
51181