Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/339 - Equilateral Triangles/Solution

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $339$

Equilateral Triangles

Place $16$ matches, as shown, to form $8$ equilateral triangles.

Now take away $4$ matches so as to leave $4$ equal triangles.

No superfluous matches or loose ends to be left.

Solution

The dotted lines indicate the matches which are to be removed.

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Solutions: $339$. -- Equilateral Triangles
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Answers: $506$. Equilateral Triangles