A stumper of a puzzle‚ using only 4th grade math.
Effect: Using matches (or in our case - toothpicks), create the incorrect math equation 1+11+111=1111. Then challenge your friend to move only 1 match and make the equation true. Make sure to point out that the 4 matches on the right side of the equation are correct; it‚ only the left side that needs fixing. To be even more fair, point out that they can interpret the numbers as roman numerals, hash marks, or traditional Arabic numerals (in truth, all these extra options only serve to make the puzzle even harder).
Method: Take one of the matches from the 11 section, turn it 90 degrees and place it perpendicularly over the middle match in the 111 section. Properly spaced, the equation then appears as 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1111!
Scam School brings you great episodes on a regular basis, but we recognize that you may want to choose how you subscribe. We've broken down our feeds below to give you the choice of how you enjoy the shows.
Application Feeds
Choose from the list to subscribe to Scam School directly through our most popular applications
RSS Feeds
Use these feeds to subscribe to Scam School in your preferred format using your favorite application.
Other Feeds
Stay up to date on your Scam School specific discussions and news.
Posted by rabidbadger on 11/25/2008 at 07:18:48 pm in Scam School
"Wow... that's definitely a new take! Well done!
I owe you guys a beer now."
Everybody screenshot that post and put it on your cell phone for his next meetup! Evidence! Don't let the scam master scam you out of it. :D
Read More »
Posted by Hayz on 11/25/2008 at 08:48:01 am in Scam School
"I did this puzzle with some friends of mine, who are all musical, including myself. We came up with 4 answers within the hour. 2 of them I found here in the forums(one was the binary solution, which BLEW ME AWAY when he explained). I have included the other two here:
My wife came up with this one, and yes, it is thinking outside of the box and very creative.
I + N - I I I = I I I I (She then explained that the algebraic value for N was 6)
1 + 6 - 3 = 4
My roommate from college came up with this one(same guy that came up with the binary solution):
Ta + Ti Ti + Ta Ta = Ta Ta Ta Ta (4 musical beats = 4 musical beats)
The toothpicks represent Rhythmic notation where I is a quarter note, and two eighth notes connected, execpt they are missing the note heads. WHICH, that is exactly how I teach beginning rhythms to my 5th graders: Ta's are Quarter notes, and Ti-Ti's are eighth notes."
wow, I never would've thought of that, which makes me sad as im a drummer... anyway, i tip my hat to genius in both solutions listed here
Read More »
Posted by rabidbadger on 11/24/2008 at 06:16:46 pm in Scam School
"I did this puzzle with some friends of mine, who are all musical, including myself. We came up with 4 answers within the hour. 2 of them I found here in the forums(one was the binary solution, which BLEW ME AWAY when he explained). I have included the other two here:
My wife came up with this one, and yes, it is thinking outside of the box and very creative.
I + N - I I I = I I I I (She then explained that the algebraic value for N was 6)
1 + 6 - 3 = 4
My roommate from college came up with this one(same guy that came up with the binary solution):
Ta + Ti Ti + Ta Ta = Ta Ta Ta Ta (4 musical beats = 4 musical beats)
The toothpicks represent Rhythmic notation where I is a quarter note, and two eighth notes connected, execpt they are missing the note heads. WHICH, that is exactly how I teach beginning rhythms to my 5th graders: Ta's are Quarter notes, and Ti-Ti's are eighth notes."
You guys are friggin amazing, with all these different ideas. Maybe the trick should not be "can you..." but "how many ways can you find to..."
Read More »
Posted by shwooddotcom on 11/24/2008 at 06:07:35 pm in Scam School
"
epic win is right! SWEET!
Read More »
Posted by Hayz on 11/24/2008 at 05:59:38 pm in Scam School
HA, my college math professor failed to figure it out, gave him an entire class (about an hour) and he gave up at the end and asked how it was done, i felt a feeling of epic win
Read More »
Posted by shwooddotcom on 11/23/2008 at 12:25:18 pm in Scam School
"My roommate from college came up with this one(same guy that came up with the binary solution):
Ta + Ti Ti + Ta Ta = Ta Ta Ta Ta (4 musical beats = 4 musical beats)
The toothpicks represent Rhythmic notation where I is a quarter note, and two eighth notes connected, execpt they are missing the note heads. WHICH, that is exactly how I teach beginning rhythms to my 5th graders: Ta's are Quarter notes, and Ti-Ti's are eighth notes."
Wow... that's definitely a new take! Well done!
I owe you guys a beer now.
Read More »
Posted by s018mes on 11/23/2008 at 06:38:29 am in Scam School
I did this puzzle with some friends of mine, who are all musical, including myself. We came up with 4 answers within the hour. 2 of them I found here in the forums(one was the binary solution, which BLEW ME AWAY when he explained). I have included the other two here:
My wife came up with this one, and yes, it is thinking outside of the box and very creative.
I + N - I I I = I I I I (She then explained that the algebraic value for N was 6)
1 + 6 - 3 = 4
My roommate from college came up with this one(same guy that came up with the binary solution):
Ta + Ti Ti + Ta Ta = Ta Ta Ta Ta (4 musical beats = 4 musical beats)
The toothpicks represent Rhythmic notation where I is a quarter note, and two eighth notes connected, execpt they are missing the note heads. WHICH, that is exactly how I teach beginning rhythms to my 5th graders: Ta's are Quarter notes, and Ti-Ti's are eighth notes.
Read More »
Posted by dioni0071 on 10/20/2008 at 06:48:08 pm in Scam School
Well my dad is a "math wizard" after about 20 minutes he figured it out i knew not to bet him knowing he eventually figure it out but it was funny to watch him just sit there with this serious look and no one could talk to him while he was doing it pretty funny stuff.
Read More »
Posted by rabidbadger on 10/11/2008 at 09:30:33 pm in Scam School
simple genius!
Read More »
Posted by cole173dakota on 10/11/2008 at 06:40:59 pm in Scam School
I + II + III = IIII
Remove a toothpick from the second "+" sign to make it a "-" sign, then use it with the first toothpick ("I") to make a "\/" (roman numeral five).
V + II - III = IIII (5 + 2 - 3 = 4, depicted in roman numerals)
Read More »
