04 November 2018

606. Nodes: 4 matchsticks

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There are 4 nodes in the layout above (the circles) and the node value is 8. A node can therefore be described as the touching point of two or more matchsticks OR the two ends of a matchstick. A matchstick head has a value of 2 and the opposite side a value of 1.

How would you place 4 matchsticks to create a node value of exactly 20?

2 comments:

  1. This isn't correct. Nowhere in the explanation does it say that the middle of the matchstick is worth 2 points. How then does the bottom center node in the example evaluate to 3 if the end opposite the head is only worth 1 point?

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  2. i have a different solution that also works and obides the rules. 3 triangles are placed in circle so each wooden end of the match is touching the body of another. the last match is placed anywhere on the structure with the wooden tip is touching another match's body. that leaves all 4 heads exposed giving a score of 8 and there are 4 junctions with a value of 3 each adding 12 to the total value. 8 plus 12 equals 20

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