Matchstick puzzles have always been a popular choice in interviews at top companies like VMware, Amazon, and other tech giants. These puzzles test your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and logical thinking.
Today, we have a classic matchstick puzzle that you might have encountered during an interview.
The Puzzle:
Can you form five equilateral triangles using only six identical matchsticks?
It sounds easy at first, but there’s a twist to it. Take a moment, pause, and think! Can you solve it?
The Solution:
Let’s break it down step by step:
Step 1:
Start by forming one large equilateral triangle with three matchsticks.
- Imagine you have three matchsticks. Place them in a way that forms a single large equilateral triangle. Now you have one triangle.
Step 2:
Place the remaining three matchsticks along the midpoints of each side of the triangle, dividing the larger triangle into four smaller ones.
- By positioning these three matchsticks at the midpoint of each side, you create three smaller equilateral triangles within the original large triangle. So far, you have four smaller triangles.
- The six matchsticks form five equilateral triangles in total: the original large triangle and the four smaller ones inside it.
Final Answer:
With six matchsticks, you have successfully formed five equilateral triangles. It’s simple yet a clever way to think outside the box.
Did You Figure It Out?
If you still haven’t figured it out, try it with real matchsticks! It’s always a fun challenge to visualize and solve with hands-on experience.
Conclusion:
This puzzle is a perfect example of how thinking creatively and logically can lead to a surprising solution. These types of puzzles are often used in interviews to evaluate your approach to problem-solving.
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