Puzzle | Matchstick

How to make 4 equilateral triangles with 6 identical matchsticks? 

Check if you were right - full answer with solution below.  

Solution:

Method I: A tetrahedron has:

• 4 equilateral triangle faces
• 6 edges

Each edge of the tetrahedron can be formed with one matchstick.

So, arrange the 6 matchsticks to form a tetrahedron:

• Place 3 matchsticks in a triangle on the base.
• Use the remaining 3 matchsticks to connect each vertex of the base triangle to a single point above the base (the apex).
• This creates 4 faces — all equilateral triangles.

Method II: 

Rather than physically building triangles,

• Just write the number "4" and draw a triangle.
• This represents "4 triangles."

Method III:

• Use 3 matchsticks to make a large equilateral triangle (each matchstick forms one side).
• Now take 3 more matchsticks and connect the midpoints of the triangle’s sides.
• These 3 inner matchsticks form a smaller inverted triangle inside the larger one.

 Method IV:

• 4 equilateral triangles labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Arranged in a bowtie/hourglass shape