An Entertaining Matchstick Puzzle Has Appeared Online

• 4.09.2026, 11:14

Test your intelligence and attention span.

There are quite a few different math puzzles online that test intelligence and attention to detail, and matchstick puzzles are one such type, according to “Focus”.

In these puzzles, equations containing an error are formed using matches, and you must correct the error with one—or at most two—moves.

These puzzles also develop spatial imagination and logic, and will be interesting for both children and adults.

In the image below, the equation 5 x 4 = 38 is formed using matches. At first glance, it’s clear that the result is incorrect. You need to find the mistake and correct it in 7 seconds. To do this, you need to move just one matchstick.

Time is extremely limited, so don’t think too long—go through all the possible options as quickly as you can. Even if you’re an expert at solving equations, you only have a slight advantage. After all, to solve this problem, you need not only—and not so much—mathematical skills, but also logic, attentiveness, and good spatial reasoning.

Analyze the equation and pay special attention to the numbers that can be transformed into others using a single match. Remember: you can’t add or remove anything.

Were you able to solve the problem? It was pretty difficult, so if you succeeded—congratulations. If you weren’t able to find the correct answer, take a look at the image below.

To correct the equation, all you need to do is remove the match from the number 8, turning it into a 6, and move it to the number 5, turning it into a 9. The result will be 9 × 4 = 36.