Here's one for all you hotshot problem solvers

 

Ummmm...put the 8 matches in the center pile?!

Am I gloating? Or was that too easy?

(I have a feeling I know the answer already)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens
[B]Ummmm...put the 8 matches in the center pile?!

 

59 views and no-one has risen to the challenge? Is it too hard?

 

How about this ...

 

Very clever and inovative indeed but alas not the correct solution. Good try though

For anyone else contemplating it .. it is not a trick question.

 

Take one match from the pile of 8, strike it, ignite any pile of three, and let all 4 burn to ash. Blow away the remains without disturbing the other matches. Take three more from the pile of 8, put them where the original there were, then repeat the process with another match from the pile of 8. That leaves you with three matches. Put them in the original square position. Done.

Aw, heck, strike one of those, and burn 'em all!

Pyro? Who, me? ;-)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Audball
[B]Take one match from the pile of 8, strike it, ignite any pile of three, and let all 4 burn to ash.

 

The matches don't make a square...they make a rectangle...so the objective is nullified.

Actually, I'm really trying to consider this...but its got me sooo mad, I decided I needed to lash out in a child-like fashion!

 

OK I think I've got it this time.....

Move two of the maches from each corner to the centre of each side, then you can add two from the pile of eight also to the centre pile of each side of the square:

Now you still have nine maches on each side of the square