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Here is a matchstick equation which is obviously wrong.

18019=1

Make the equation correct by moving "fewest" matchsticks (my solution involves 3 moves).

You may use numbers, letters, Roman Numerals but only as below

1 matchstick used for - or / (subtract or divide)

2 Matchsticks used for I and 1 AND +, =, X (multiply)

3 for L,T,Y and 7

4 for C,F,J,K,V,X,Z AND 4

5 for E,H,P,S,U and 2,3,5

6 for A,D,G,M,N,O,R,W and 0,6,9

7 for B,Q and 8

You can use spaces between numbers to insert only one thing like function or number. **

NO INEQUALITY OR > OR < allowed enter image description here

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5 Answers 5

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My solution is by 1 shift only. (n_palum says it is one shift only due to division being a single match movement. I concur with him on that.)

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ I'd say that's just 1 shift since / counts as 1 according to the rules. Nice find! $\endgroup$ Commented May 24, 2017 at 13:55
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Not sure if this is allowed, but it does not look to be prohibited.

1 move.

from the first 1, move the top matchstick, below the second one and you get
$1^{8019} = 1$ which is true

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  • $\begingroup$ That's a clever solution! $\endgroup$ Commented May 25, 2017 at 4:56
  • $\begingroup$ Technically, that gives $1^{8019=1}$ $\endgroup$ Commented May 25, 2017 at 8:28
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    $\begingroup$ Why you have to ruin it for me? :) You are kind of right. I can move 2 more the top stick from the = sign lower and the top stick from the 1 after the = sign to make it look ok. Soe I'm still in the allowed margin of 3 moves. $\endgroup$ Commented May 25, 2017 at 8:37
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4 sticks -

$100 - 0 = C$
enter image description here
Moved 4 sticks.

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2 shifts:

10 / 010 = 1
(Read in decimal, not octal)
enter image description here

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Simple as 1×1. Reverse and assume as

61×0×8×1 or as 61×0×81.

1^8019 works too.

0 shifts as assuming exponentiation.

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