Move exactly one match to make the equation true.
You can’t remove matches or add new ones.
💡 Hint
You only need to touch the 3. One of its right-side sticks needs to move to the left side.
Reveal answer
Move the lower-right match of the 3 to the lower-left position. The 3 becomes a 2, and the equation reads 1 + 1 = 2.
On a digital display, a 3 uses the top, middle and bottom bars plus the two right-hand sticks. A 2 uses the same three bars, but its vertical sticks are on the upper right and lower left. So moving the lower-right stick of the 3 over to the lower-left creates a 2. We checked every possible single move with a computer, and this is the only one that makes a true equation.
Did you get it?
About This Puzzle
Matchstick puzzles turn simple equations into little construction problems. The numbers are built from matches, like the digits on an old digital clock, and you fix the math by moving them. Here is a gentle one to start.
How to Think About It
Look at what the right answer should be. 1 + 1 equals 2, so you need to turn the 3 into a 2. Compare how the two digits are built on a digital display: they share the top, middle and bottom bars. The difference is in the vertical sticks.
🔥 Up nextMatchstick Puzzle: Fix 3 + 4 = 5→