Using match sticks as roman numerals and moving just one stick
how can you solve this puzzle. VII - VI = VII.
I'm really stumped. Thanks

VIII - I = VII

Sue

Thanks Sue, but I don't think that's it. You moved two
sticks when you got rid of the other part of the V. Each V
would have two sticks.

Sorry - I thought that you meant removing, not moving.

Paul call me stupid but I don't understand is it
VII - VI = VII?

I'm not posting an answer here, I just want to make sure of the question.

[This message has been edited by JoJo2 (edited 12-21-1999).]

JoJo2, you're not stupid at all. The equation is written correctly. The guy that gave it to me, my therapist-(knee)not mind, said I will really feel dopey when he shows me the answer. I go back to him tomorrow and was kind of hoping that someone smarter than I am would have an answer to it. Thanks for taking a look.

Paul, I understand now. I'm working on it. I'll get back to you

Hey TexasJoe or Gunslinger, we need your help on this one.

VII X 1 = VII?

Just a guess:

VII - VI = VII

VII - VV = III

Assuming negative results are okay.

TJ

Another thought -

Move one matchstick from the first VII so that gives you VI.
Place the matchstick upright to the left of the V giving a sort of N, pronounce the next I as i, and the last I an l(L). You then have

VI - VI = Nil

Sue

TJ - surely VV is written as X, or is that just a British thing?
;-))

[This message has been edited by sue943 (edited 12-22-1999).]

Yes, Sue IX XXXX III!

I pondered this with my boys when we first saw this, so I resorted to Roman Numerals 101:

Roman Numerals

Roman numerals are expressed by letters of the alphabet and are rarely used today except for formality or variety.

There are four basic principles for reading Roman numerals:

1. A letter repeated once or twice repeats its value that many times (XXX = 30, CC = 200, etc.).
   
   
2. One or more letters placed after another letter of greater value increases the greater value by the amount of the smaller (VI = 6, LXX = 70, MCC = 1200, etc.).
   
   
3. A letter placed before another letter of greater value decreases the greater value by the amount of the smaller (IV = 4, XC = 90, CM = 900, etc.).
   
   
4. A bar placed on top of a letter or string of letters increases the numeral's value by 1,000 times (XV = 15, XV = 15,000).
   

We decided that Rule 1 justifies the solution we submitted. The better versed Roman would no doubt use the X; however, it is not an error to repeat values!

Anyway, Paul VI II IV, thanks for the question! We enjoyed trying to solve it! Let Us know the answer form your therapist.

TJ

[This message has been edited by TexasJoe (edited 12-22-1999).]

How about, if you move any of the single (I) match sticks across the equals signs, so it reads, is not equal to. Not real elegant, but it works!

I should have studied math more and girls less.
The equation was: VII-VI=VII
The answer to this problem is:
You move the last match stick and place it over the next to last match stick to make it a square root sign.
VII-VI=VT That's not an abbreviation for Vermont.
Since I don't know how to make a square root sign. I've used a capital T for two match sticks. Seems the answer is the square root of 1, which, of course is one. If you use match sticks it looks a lot better than in type on the computer.
Thanks to all of you. I'm looking forward to watching this Community for some really good brain teasers. Maybe I can be of help to someone some time. Thanks again.

VII - V (is not equal to sign) VII?