EMAT 6700

by Brad Simmons

Toothpick Puzzles

Use geometer's sketchpad to solve some toothpick puzzles.

1.  Make four triangles with six toothpicks.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

2.  Make six triangles and a hexagon with six toothpicks.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

3. Use 15 toothpicks to make this arrangement.  Then take away three toothpicks to leave three squares.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

4.  Use 16 toothpicks to make this arrangement.  Then move two toothpicks to make four squares.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

5.  Use 24 toothpicks to make this arrangement.  Then take away six toothpicks to leave three squares.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

6.  Use four toothpicks and a coin to make this fork arrangement.  Move two toothpicks to make another fork, but with the coin no longer between the prongs of the fork.

Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

  7.  Use nine toothpicks to make this arrangement.  Then move two toothpicks to make a figure that creates the illusion of a cube viewed from one corner.

   Please click here for a geometer's sketchpad sketch.

8.  Make your own toothpick puzzle.

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