Printable worksheet featuring six matchstick puzzles designed to challenge logical thinking and spatial reasoning.

Let’s solve each matchstick puzzle one by one. We’ll think carefully about how to move or remove matches to get the right result.

---

Puzzle 1: Move one matchstick to make a square.

We start with a plus sign (+) made of 4 matchsticks — two crossing in the middle.

If we take one matchstick from the top arm and place it diagonally across the bottom-right corner, we can form a small square using three existing sticks and the moved one? Wait — that doesn’t quite work.

Actually, here’s the trick: Take one matchstick from the end of any arm (say, the top one), and lay it horizontally at the bottom of the vertical stick — but that still doesn’t make a square.

Wait — better idea: The plus sign has four arms. If you take one matchstick from, say, the right arm, and place it vertically on the left side of the center, you don’t get a square.

Hmm… Let’s think differently.

What if we take one matchstick from the top, and place it diagonally to connect the ends of the left and bottom arms? That might form a triangle — not helpful.

Actually — classic solution: Take one matchstick from the top of the plus, and place it horizontally at the bottom of the vertical line — but again, no square.

Wait — I remember now! You take one matchstick from the end of one arm, and place it to complete a small square using parts of the cross.

But actually — the correct answer is: Take one matchstick from the top arm, and place it vertically on the right side of the bottom arm — forming a small square in the bottom-right quadrant.

No — let me visualize:

Original:
```
|
--|--
|
```

Move the top vertical matchstick to become horizontal at the bottom right — so now you have:

```
|
--|--
|
----
```

That’s not a square.

Wait — here’s the real trick: Turn the plus into a square by moving one matchstick to form the fourth side of a square using three existing segments.

Actually — simplest way: Imagine the plus sign as having four lines meeting at center. If you take the top matchstick and rotate it 90 degrees to lie along the right side — but that just makes an L-shape.

I think I’m overcomplicating.

Classic solution for this puzzle: Move one matchstick from the top to make the shape of the letter “E” — but that’s not a square.

Wait — no. Another thought: What if you take one matchstick and place it diagonally to form a square with two others? Not possible with straight moves.

Actually — I recall now: The trick is to move one matchstick to turn the plus into a square outline.

Here’s how: The plus has 4 matchsticks. To make a square, you need 4 sides. But they’re arranged in a cross.

Solution: Take the top matchstick, and place it horizontally at the bottom — but shifted so it connects to the bottom of the vertical stick and extends right — then you have a backward L and a separate piece.

This isn’t working.

Let me look up the standard solution mentally: For a plus sign made of 4 matches, moving one match to make a square — the answer is to take one match from the end of one arm and place it to form a small square using the center point and two adjacent arms.

Actually — here’s the correct move: Take the top matchstick, and place it vertically on the right side of the bottom horizontal matchstick — so now you have:

Left vertical, bottom horizontal, and new right vertical — and the original right horizontal is still there? No.

Wait — perhaps it’s easier to draw:

Start:
```
A
B-C-D
E
```

Matches: A (top), B (left), C (center junction), D (right), E (bottom). Actually, typically it's 4 matches: up, down, left, right — all meeting at center.

So positions: North, South, East, West.

To make a square: Take the North match, and place it going east from the East match’s end — so now you have:

West, South, East, and then a new match extending east from East — that gives you three sides of a rectangle? Not square.

Alternatively — take the North match and place it connecting the end of West to the end of South — that would form a diagonal — not allowed? Matchsticks must be placed edge-to-edge, usually axis-aligned.

I think I found it: Move one matchstick to form the number “4” — which contains a square? No.

Wait — another idea: In some versions, you move one match to make the word “SQUARE” — but that’s not it.

Perhaps the intended solution is: Take one matchstick from the top, and place it horizontally at the bottom to complete a square with the bottom and two sides — but there are no sides yet.

I'm stuck on Puzzle 1. Let me skip and come back.

---

Puzzle 2: Move six matches to make five squares.

Current shape: Three squares in a row horizontally, and one square below the middle one — like a T-tetromino made of squares.

Total matches: Each square has 4 matches, but shared edges reduce count.

Visualize:

Top row: [Square1][Square2][Square3]
Below Square2: [Square4]

So total squares initially: 4.

We need to move 6 matches to make 5 squares.

How? Perhaps rearrange to make a 2x2 grid (which has 4 small squares + 1 large square = 5 squares).

A 2x2 grid uses 12 matches: 3 horizontal lines of 2 matches each = 6, and 3 vertical lines of 2 matches each = 6, total 12.

Current configuration: Let’s count matches.

Each outer square has 3 unique matches, inner shared ones less.

Standard count for this shape: 12 matches? Let’s see:

- Top row: 3 squares side by side: needs 3*4 - 2*2 = 12 - 4 = 8 matches? No.

Better: For n squares in a row, matches = 3n + 1.

For 3 in a row: 3*3 +1 = 10? Let's draw:

Positions:

Horizontal matches: top row: 4 segments (for 3 squares), bottom row: 4 segments, but since they share, actually for 3 squares in a row: horizontal: 2 rows * 4 matches = 8? No.

Standard: for k squares in a row, number of horizontal matches = 2*(k+1), vertical = k+1? Messy.

Assume current shape has 12 matches (common for this puzzle).

To make 2x2 grid: also 12 matches.

And 2x2 grid has 4 small squares and 1 big square = 5 squares.

Perfect.

So solution: Rearrange the matches to form a 2x2 grid.

You move 6 matches to reconfigure from the T-shape to the 2x2 grid.

Yes, that works.

So for Puzzle 2: Move six matches to form a 2x2 grid of squares, which gives five squares total (four small, one large).

---

Puzzle 3: Move two matchsticks to make six squares.

Current shape: 2x2 grid of squares — so 4 small squares.

We need to make 6 squares by moving only two matches.

How? Perhaps create additional smaller squares or use overlapping.

One common solution: Take two matches from the outer frame and use them to divide one of the existing squares into four smaller squares — but that would require more matches.

Another idea: Make a 3D effect? Probably not.

Or — add matches inside to create more squares.

But we can only move two, not add.

Current 2x2 grid has 12 matches.

If we move two matches to create internal divisions.

For example, take two matches from the perimeter and place them as diagonals? But diagonals don't make squares.

Place them to split one square into four — but that needs two matches per square to divide into four, and we're moving only two.

Suppose we take two adjacent outer matches and place them inside to form a smaller square within one cell — but then we lose the outer square.

Net gain: lose one square, gain one small square — still 4.

Not good.

Another solution: Create a "plus" inside one square — but again, needs more matches.

I recall: In a 2x2 grid, if you move two matches to form a third row or column partially.

For example, extend one side to make an extra square attached.

But let's think: Total squares should be 6.

Perhaps make a 3x2 grid but that requires more matches.

Current matches: 12.

A 3x2 grid of squares would have 3 columns, 2 rows: horizontal matches: 3 rows * 4 matches = 12? For m x n grid, horizontal matches = (m+1)*n, vertical = m*(n+1).

For 2x2: hor = 3*2=6, ver=2*3=6, total 12.

For 3x1: hor=2*3=6, ver=3*2=6, total 12 — same number.

3x1 grid has 3 squares.

Not enough.

What if we make a different arrangement.

Another idea: Use the two moved matches to create two additional small squares by adding them inside existing squares.

For example, in one square, add a cross — but that takes two matches and divides one square into four, so net change: -1 +4 = +3, so 4-1+4=7 squares — too many, and we used two matches, but we moved them, so we removed two from elsewhere.

When we move a match, we remove it from its position and place it elsewhere.

So if we take two matches from the outer frame, we might break some squares.

Suppose we take two matches that are part of the boundary, and use them to add internal lines.

For instance, take the top-left horizontal and top-left vertical matches — but that destroys the top-left square.

Then place them inside the bottom-right square to make a plus — dividing it into four small squares.

Originally, we had 4 squares.

After removing two matches from top-left, we lose that square, so now 3 squares.

Then we add two matches inside bottom-right square to divide it into 4 small squares — so we replace one square with four, net +3.

Total squares: 3 (remaining) + 4 (new) = 7 — but we wanted 6.

Too many.

If we divide only one square into two rectangles — but not squares.

Another common solution: Move two matches to form a 3D cube illusion — but that might not count as squares.

Perhaps make six 1x1 squares by rearranging.

Let's calculate: to have six separate 1x1 squares, we need 6*4 = 24 matches, minus shared edges.

Minimum for six squares in a row: 3*6 +1 = 19 matches — too many.

In a 2x3 grid: 2 rows, 3 columns.

Horizontal matches: 3 rows * 4 matches = 12? Rows of horizontal lines: for 2 rows of squares, there are 3 horizontal lines, each with 3 matches (since 3 columns), so 3*3=9 horizontal.

Vertical: 4 vertical lines (for 3 columns), each with 2 matches (for 2 rows), so 4*2=8 vertical.

Total matches: 9+8=17 — more than 12.

Not possible.

Back to the drawing board.

I recall a standard solution for this: In the 2x2 grid, move two matches to create two additional small squares by forming a "staircase" or something.

Another idea: Take two matches from the center and use them to extend outward.

Perhaps move two matches to make the shape have overlapping squares.

Let's search my memory: One solution is to move two matches to form a larger square with smaller ones inside, but complicated.

Perhaps the six squares include different sizes.

For example, in the 2x2 grid, there is already 1 large square (the whole thing) and 4 small, total 5. We need 6.

So if we can create one more square of any size.

By moving two matches, perhaps create a medium square.

For example, take two matches from the perimeter and place them to form a diamond or something — but not aligned.

Assume matches must be placed horizontally or vertically.

Another thought: Move two matches to add a "tail" that forms an additional square.

For instance, from the bottom-right, extend two matches to make an extra square attached.

But to make one additional square, you need to add three matches if attaching to existing, but we are moving, not adding.

When you move a match, you remove it from one place and put it in another, so net zero change in number of matches.

Current: 12 matches, 4 small squares + 1 large = 5 squares.

We need 6 squares.

So we need to create one more square without losing any, or lose one but gain two, etc.

Suppose we move two matches to create a new small square somewhere, but we have to remove them from existing structure, which may destroy squares.

For example, take two matches that are shared between squares, so removing them doesn't destroy a full square.

In the 2x2 grid, the center cross is shared.

The four matches at the center: two horizontal and two vertical, but actually, the center has four match ends meeting.

The internal matches are the ones between the squares.

Specifically, there is one horizontal match in the middle row, spanning the width, and one vertical match in the middle column, spanning the height.

In a 2x2 grid, there is one internal horizontal match (between the two rows) and one internal vertical match (between the two columns)? No.

Let's label:

Imagine the grid has points:

A--B--C

| | |

D--E--F

| | |

G--H--I

Matches: AB, BC, DE, EF, GH, HI (horizontal)

AD, DG, BE, EH, CF, FI (vertical)

For 2x2 squares, we have squares: ABED, BCFE, DEHG, EFIH.

Internal matches: BE (vertical), EF (horizontal)? EF is horizontal between E and F, which is part of the top-right square.

Actually, the match between B and E is vertical, between E and F is horizontal, etc.

The match that is shared by all four squares is not a single match; each internal edge is shared by two squares.

For example, the vertical match between B and E is shared by top-left and top-right squares.

Similarly, horizontal match between D and E is shared by top-left and bottom-left.

To minimize damage, suppose we take the vertical match between B and E, and the horizontal match between E and H (which is between bottom-left and bottom-right).

Removing BE: this was shared by top-left and top-right squares. After removal, those two squares are broken — so we lose two squares.

Removing EH: shared by bottom-left and bottom-right, so lose two more squares. Now all four small squares are destroyed.

Then we have the outer frame and the other matches.

Then we place these two matches somewhere to create new squares.

With two matches, we can make at most one square if we have existing corners, but unlikely.

This is messy.

I found a standard solution online in my mind: For puzzle 3, move two matches to make six squares by creating a 3x3 grid but missing some, but not.

Another idea: Move two matches to form the Roman numeral VI or something — not squares.

Perhaps the six squares are not all the same size.

Let's think outside the box: Maybe after moving, you have squares of different orientations, but usually matchstick puzzles assume axis-aligned.

I recall: In some versions, you move two matches to add a small square inside one of the existing squares by using the space.

For example, in the bottom-right square, instead of having it empty, add two matches to divide it into four smaller squares — but that requires two matches for a cross, which divides one square into four, so net +3 squares, but you have to remove the two matches from somewhere.

If you remove two matches that are not critical, say from the outer frame where they are part of only one square.

For example, take the top match of the top-left square (AB) and the left match of the top-left square (AD). Removing them destroys the top-left square, so now you have 3 squares left.

Then take those two matches and place them inside the bottom-right square to form a plus sign: one horizontal and one vertical through the center of that square.

This divides the bottom-right square into four small squares.

So now, you have: the top-right square, bottom-left square, and four small squares in bottom-right — total 6 squares.

Yes! And the large square is gone because we removed outer matches, but we don't care about the large square anymore; we have six small squares.

List:

- Top-right square: still intact? When we removed AB and AD, the top-left square is gone, but top-right square: its left side is BE, which is still there, top is BC, right is CF, bottom is EF — all still there, so yes, top-right square is intact.

Similarly, bottom-left square: top is DE, left is DG, bottom is GH, right is EH — we didn't remove any of these, so intact.

Bottom-right square: we added two matches inside: say, from midpoint of EF to midpoint of HI (vertical), and from midpoint of EH to midpoint of FI (horizontal) — but matchsticks are full length, so we can't do midpoints; we have to place full matches.

Problem: the bottom-right square is defined by points E,F,I,H. To divide it into four smaller squares, we need to add a vertical match from the midpoint of EF to midpoint of HI, and horizontal from midpoint of EH to midpoint of FI — but matchsticks are the same length as the sides, so if the square is size 1, a matchstick is length 1, so to divide into four 0.5x0.5 squares, we need matches of length 0.5, but we have full-length matches.

So that won't work unless the grid allows it, but typically in these puzzles, matches are placed on the grid lines, not subdividing.

So probably not.

Perhaps the "six squares" include the large one and smaller ones.

Another standard solution: Move two matches to create a 3D perspective, like a cube, which has 6 faces — but that's not flat squares, and usually not accepted.

I think for this puzzle, the intended solution is to move two matches to form a different arrangement where there are six 1x1 squares.

Let's calculate the minimum matches for six 1x1 squares.

If they are in a 2x3 grid, as before, 17 matches — too many.

If they are separate, 24 matches.

But we have only 12 matches, so impossible to have six separate 1x1 squares.

Therefore, the six squares must include larger squares or shared edges efficiently.

In the initial 2x2 grid, we have 4 small + 1 large = 5.

If we can create one more square of size sqrt(2) or something, but not with axis-aligned.

Perhaps by moving two matches, we create a new square that overlaps.

I recall now: One solution is to take two matches from the center and use them to extend the grid.

For example, take the internal horizontal and vertical matches (but in 2x2, there is one internal horizontal match spanning the width? No, in 2x2, the internal matches are the ones between the cells.

In the grid I described earlier, the match between B and E is vertical internal, between E and F is horizontal, but E to F is not internal; it's on the top row.

Let's define clearly.

Assume the 2x2 grid has:

- Horizontal matches: row 1: A-B, B-C

row 2: D-E, E-F

row 3: G-H, H-I

- Vertical matches: col 1: A-D, D-G

col 2: B-E, E-H

col 3: C-F, F-I

Squares:
- Top-left: A-B-E-D
- Top-right: B-C-F-E
- Bottom-left: D-E-H-G
- Bottom-right: E-F-I-H

Now, the match B-E is shared by top-left and top-right.

Match E-H is shared by bottom-left and bottom-right.

Match D-E is shared by top-left and bottom-left.

Match E-F is shared by top-right and bottom-right.

To make six squares, perhaps move two matches to create additional squares by forming a larger structure.

Another idea: Move the match B-C (top-right horizontal) and match G-H (bottom-left horizontal), and use them to add a new row or column.

For example, place B-C vertically on the right to extend, but then you need more matches.

Perhaps create a square on the side.

Let's try this: Take the match A-B (top-left horizontal) and match A-D (top-left vertical), and move them to the bottom-right to form an additional square attached to the bottom-right square.

For example, from point I, add a match to the right, and from H, add a match down, but then you need to connect them.

Suppose we add a match from I to J (right), and from H to K (down), then we have points, but to make a square, we need to connect J and K, which requires another match, but we only have two matches to move.

So we can make an L-shape, not a square.

Not sufficient.

Perhaps move two matches to form a diagonal, but again, not square.

I think I need to accept that for Puzzle 3, the solution is to move two matches to create a configuration with six squares by having some squares counted multiple times or something.

Upon second thought, in some sources, for a 2x2 grid, moving two matches can give you six squares by creating a 3x3 grid minus some, but let's calculate.

Another solution: Move two matches to make the shape of a hashtag or something.

Perhaps the six squares are: the four small ones, the large one, and one more formed by the moved matches.

Let's look for a different approach.

I recall that in puzzle 3, you can move two matches to form a "window" with panes.

Here's a standard solution: Take the two matches that are the top of the top-left square and the left of the top-left square (A-B and A-D), and move them to the bottom-right to form a small square inside the bottom-right square by placing them as a cross, but as before, size issue.

Unless the matches are placed to divide the square into four, but with full matches, if the square is 2 units, but in our case, each "cell" is 1 match per side, so to divide a 1x1 square into four 0.5x0.5, you need half-match, which is not allowed.

So probably not.

Perhaps the "squares" include the areas formed by the matches, and by moving, you create new enclosed areas.

Let's consider that when you move matches, you might create new squares that are not aligned.

But usually, it's assumed to be grid-based.

I found a solution online in my memory: For puzzle 3, move two matches to make six squares by taking two matches from the outer frame and using them to add a small square on the side, but as before, need three matches for a new square.

Unless you attach it sharing two sides.

For example, if you have a square, and you want to add another square sharing one side, you need three additional matches.

But we are moving, not adding.

Suppose we remove two matches that are part of the boundary, and use them to complete a new square that shares two sides with existing structure.

For example, in the 2x2 grid, at the bottom-right, we have points E,F,I,H.

Suppose we remove the match F-I (right side of bottom-right square) and match H-I (bottom side of bottom-right square).

Then the bottom-right square is destroyed.

Now we have matches F-I and H-I in hand.

Then we can place them to form a new square attached to, say, the bottom-left square.

For example, from point G, add a match down to K, from H add a match down to L, then from K to L, but we only have two matches, so we can add G-K and H-L, but then K and L are not connected, so no square.

If we add G-K and K-L, then we have a square if H-L is there, but it's not.

Not working.

Perhaps create a square using existing points.

Another idea: Move two matches to form a larger square that encompasses more.

I think I need to move on and come back.

Let's do Puzzle 4.

Puzzle 4: Take one away from seven matchsticks, then move two to leave zero.

Seven matchsticks in a row: |||||||

Take one away: so remove one, left with six.

Then move two to leave zero — meaning no matchsticks left? But "leave zero" probably means no matchsticks remaining, but we have six, and we move two, so we still have six, just rearranged.

"Leave zero" likely means that after moving, there are no matchsticks in the original configuration or something, but that doesn't make sense.

Perhaps "leave zero" means that the number of matchsticks is zero, but we can't remove more.

The instruction: "Take one away from seven matchsticks, then move two to leave zero."

"Take one away" probably means remove one matchstick, so now six left.

"Then move two" — move two of the remaining six.

"To leave zero" — perhaps means that after moving, there are no matchsticks left in the line, or the value is zero.

Another interpretation: "leave zero" might mean that the arrangement represents the number zero.

For example, with matchsticks, you can form digits.

Seven matchsticks in a row might represent the digit 1 or something, but usually, matchstick digits are formed in a seven-segment display.

Ah! That's it!

In seven-segment display, the digit 8 uses 7 segments.

Digit 0 uses 6 segments.

Digit 1 uses 2 segments, etc.

So, "seven matchsticks" likely means arranged as the digit 8, which uses 7 segments.

"Take one away" — remove one segment, so now 6 segments.

Then "move two" — move two of the remaining segments.

"To leave zero" — to form the digit 0.

Digit 0 uses 6 segments: all except the middle horizontal.

Digit 8 uses all 7 segments.

If you remove one segment from 8, you get various digits depending on which you remove.

For example, remove the top horizontal, you get 0? No, 0 has top, bottom, left-top, left-bottom, right-top, right-bottom — no middle.

8 has all seven: top, upper-left, upper-right, middle, lower-left, lower-right, bottom.

If you remove the middle horizontal, you get 0.

Yes! So take away the middle matchstick, then you have the digit 0 already.

But the puzzle says "then move two to leave zero" — if you already have 0 after taking one away, why move two?

Perhaps "take one away" means remove one, leaving six, which is not necessarily 0, then move two to make it 0.

But if you remove the middle, you have 0 immediately.

Maybe "take one away" is separate, and "move two" is additional action.

But the sentence is: "Take one away from seven matchsticks, then move two to leave zero."

Perhaps "leave zero" means that after these actions, there are no matchsticks, but that doesn't make sense.

Another interpretation: "leave zero" might mean that the final arrangement has zero matchsticks, but we have six after removing one, and moving two doesn't remove them.

Unless "move two" means remove two, but "move" usually means relocate, not remove.

Perhaps in this context, "move" includes removing, but unlikely.

Let's read carefully: "Take one away from seven matchsticks" — so remove one, left with six.

"Then move two" — relocate two of the six.

"To leave zero" — perhaps to make the number represented be zero.

With six matchsticks, you can form the digit 0, which uses 6 segments.

So if after removing one from 8, you have a different digit, then move two segments to turn it into 0.

For example, if you remove the top horizontal from 8, you get a digit that looks like 6 or 9 or something.

8 with top removed: has upper-left, upper-right, middle, lower-left, lower-right, bottom — which is like a 6 if oriented properly, but in standard seven-segment, removing top from 8 gives a shape that is not a standard digit; it has the top missing, so it might look like a 6 if you consider the segments.

Standard seven-segment:

Segments: a (top), b (upper-right), c (lower-right), d (bottom), e (lower-left), f (upper-left), g (middle).

Digit 8: all on.

Digit 0: a,b,c,d,e,f on; g off.

Digit 6: a,f,g,e,d,c on; b off.

Digit 9: a,b,c,d,f,g on; e off.

etc.

If you remove segment g (middle) from 8, you get 0 directly.

But the puzzle says "then move two", implying that after taking one away, you need to move two more to achieve zero.

Perhaps "take one away" means remove one, but not specified which, and then you have to move two to make it 0.

But if you remove g, you have 0, so no need to move.

Maybe "take one away" is to reduce to six, and then you move two to rearrange into 0, but if you already have 0, moving two might destroy it.

Another possibility: "seven matchsticks" are in a row, not as a digit.

So seven in a row: |||||||

Take one away: remove one, left with six in a row.

Then move two: relocate two of them.

"To leave zero" — perhaps to make no matchsticks in a row, or to make the number zero.

With six matchsticks, you can form the digit 0 if you arrange them in a circle or something, but matchsticks are straight, so hard to make a circle.

Form the letter O, which is like 0.

With six matchsticks, you can make a hexagon, but that's not 0.

Make the digit 0 using matchsticks: typically, 0 is made with 6 matchsticks in a rectangular shape: top, bottom, left-top, left-bottom, right-top, right-bottom — so six matches forming a rectangle.

So if you have six matchsticks in a row, you can move them to form a rectangle for 0.

But the puzzle says "move two", not move all six.

"Then move two" — so only move two of the six.

With six in a row, if you move two, you can rearrange to make a 0, but you need to move more than two to form the rectangle.

For example, to make a rectangle, you need to have the matches in a loop, so you might need to move several.

Perhaps "move two" means change the position of two matches to transform the arrangement.

But from a row of six, moving two matches can't easily make a 0.

Another idea: "leave zero" means that after moving, there are no matchsticks left in the original line, but that's trivial.

I think the seven-segment interpretation is correct, and "take one away" means remove the middle segment, giving 0, and "then move two" is redundant or for another purpose, but the puzzle says "to leave zero", so perhaps after taking one away, you have 0, and moving two is not needed, but the instruction includes it.

Perhaps "take one away" is to remove one, leaving six, which is not 0, then move two to make it 0.

For example, if you remove a different segment.

Suppose you remove segment b (upper-right) from 8. Then you have segments a,c,d,e,f,g on — which is like a 6 or 9? With b off, it might look like a 6 if g is on, but 6 has b off, a,f,g,e,d,c on — yes, exactly digit 6.

So after removing b, you have digit 6.

Then "move two" to make it 0.

Digit 6 has segments a,f,g,e,d,c on.

Digit 0 has a,b,c,d,e,f on; g off.

So to go from 6 to 0, you need to turn on b and turn off g.

But "move two" — you can move the match from g to b.

So remove the middle match (g) and place it as the upper-right match (b).

Then you have a,b,c,d,e,f on — which is 0.

Perfect!

So steps:
- Start with 8 (7 matches).
- Take one away: remove the upper-right match (b), so now you have 6 (segments a,c,d,e,f,g on).
- Then move two: but you only moved one match? The instruction says "move two".

In this case, you removed one (took away), then you move one match (from g to b), but the puzzle says "move two".

Perhaps "take one away" is considered separate, and "move two" means relocate two matches.

In this case, to go from 6 to 0, you need to change g to b, so you move the match from g to b — that's moving one match.

But the puzzle says "move two".

Perhaps you need to move two matches for some reason.

Another way: maybe "take one away" means remove one matchstick completely, so you have six left, arranged as 6 (if you removed b).

Then to make 0, you need to have the middle off and upper-right on, so you can move the middle match to the upper-right position — that's moving one match.

Still only one move.

Perhaps "move two" includes the act of taking away, but "take one away" is specified separately.

Let's read: "Take one away from seven matchsticks, then move two to leave zero."

Perhaps "take one away" is remove one, leaving six.

"Then move two" — relocate two of the six.

"To leave zero" — to form the digit 0.

With six matches, if they are arranged as digit 6, you can move two matches to make it 0.

Digit 6: segments a,f,g,e,d,c on.

To make 0: need a,b,c,d,e,f on; g off.

So you need to add b and remove g.

So you can move the match from g to b — that's moving one match.

To move two, perhaps you move g to b, and also move another match, but that might not be necessary.

Perhaps you move two matches to swap or something.

Another idea: perhaps "move two" means to change the position of two matches, and in the process, you achieve 0.

For example, from digit 6, you can move the middle match (g) to the upper-right (b), and also move, say, the bottom match or something, but that would destroy it.

Perhaps for digit 6, if you move the lower-left match (e) to upper-right (b), then you have a,f,g,d,c,b on — which is digit 9, not 0.

Not good.

Move the middle (g) to upper-right (b), and move the lower-right (c) to somewhere, but then you lose c.

Not good.

Perhaps the "seven matchsticks" are not in a digit, but in a row, and "leave zero" means to make no matchsticks, but that doesn't make sense.

Another interpretation: "leave zero" might mean that the number of matchsticks is zero, but after taking one away, you have six, and moving two doesn't reduce the number.

Unless "move two" means remove two, but "move" usually doesn't mean remove.

In some contexts, "move" might imply remove, but unlikely.

Perhaps "take one away" is to remove one, then "move two" is to remove two more, so total remove three, left with four, not zero.

Not good.

Let's consider that "seven matchsticks" are arranged as the number 7, which in seven-segment uses 3 segments: a,b,c or something.

Digit 7: a,b,c on — 3 segments.

But the puzzle says "seven matchsticks", so probably not.

Perhaps it's seven matchsticks forming the word "SEVEN" or something, but complicated.

I think the best bet is the seven-segment 8 to 0 with moving one match, but the puzzle says "move two", so perhaps for this puzzle, you need to move two matches for a different reason.

Perhaps "take one away" means remove one matchstick, leaving six, which are in a row, then "move two" means to take two of them and place them to form a zero with the remaining four, but with four matches, you can't make a 0; 0 requires 6.

Unless you make a different symbol.

Another idea: "leave zero" means to make the mathematical expression equal to zero.

For example, with matchsticks, you can form numbers and operators.

But with seven in a row, hard to say.

Perhaps the seven matchsticks are arranged as VII (Roman numeral 7), then take one away (remove one I), left with VI (6), then move two to make it 0 — but how? Move two matches to form 0, but VI has two characters.

Remove the V and one I, but you have only six matches.

This is messy.

Let's look for standard solutions.

Upon recalling, for puzzle 4, the common solution is: Start with 8 (7 segments). Remove the middle segment (g), so you have 0. Then "move two" might be a red herring, or perhaps you need to move two matches to stabilize or something, but that doesn't make sense.

Perhaps "then move two" means to move two matches to different positions, but in the 0, if you move two, you destroy it.

Another thought: "leave zero" might mean that after all actions, there are no matchsticks left, but that would require removing all, but you only took one away and moved two.

Unless "move two" means remove two, but the word is "move".

Perhaps in this context, "move" includes removing, but unlikely.

Let's read the puzzle again: "4. Take one away from seven matchsticks, then move two to leave zero."

Perhaps "take one away" is to remove one, leaving six.

"Then move two" — relocate two of the six.

"To leave zero" — to make the arrangement represent zero, and with six matches, you can make 0, but you need to move more than two to rearrange from a row to a rectangle.

Unless the six are already in a configuration close to 0.

But the puzzle doesn't specify the initial arrangement beyond "seven matchsticks", so likely they are in a row or as 8.

Perhaps "seven matchsticks" are arranged as the digit 1, but 1 uses 2 segments, not 7.

I think I need to assume that "seven matchsticks" are in a row, and "take one away" means remove one, left with six in a row.

Then "move two" means to take two of them and place them to form a zero with the remaining four, but as said, 0 requires 6 matches.

Unless you make a different symbol for zero.

Perhaps make the letter O with six matches, but again, from a row, moving two won't suffice.

Another idea: "leave zero" means to make no matchsticks in the original position, but that's trivial.

Perhaps "zero" refers to the number 0, and you need to form it with the matches.

Let's consider that after taking one away, you have six matches, and you move two to create a configuration where the number of enclosed regions is zero or something, but complicated.

I recall a solution: for seven matchsticks in a row, take one away (remove one), left with six.

Then move two matches to form the Roman numeral X or something, but not 0.

Perhaps form the word "NIL" or "ZERO", but with matchsticks, hard.

Let's try this: with six matches, you can form the digit 0 if you arrange them properly, but to do that from a row, you need to move all six, not just two.

Unless the "move two" is to adjust, but not specified.

Perhaps "move two" means to change the position of two matches to transform the six-in-a-row into a 0 by moving two to create the sides.

For example, from |||||| , take the first and last match, and bend them or something, but matches are rigid.

Place the first match vertically at the left, the last match vertically at the right, and the middle four horizontally for top and bottom, but you need two for top and two for bottom, so with four middle, you can make top and bottom, and the two moved make left and right, so yes!

Initial: six matches in a row: let's say positions 1,2,3,4,5,6.

Take one away: remove one, say position 3, so left with 1,2,4,5,6 — five matches? No, "take one away from seven" so remove one, left with six, so if you remove one, you have six matches, still in a row or scattered, but assume in a row with a gap or something.

After removing one, you have six matches, probably still in a line with a gap, or you can rearrange, but the puzzle doesn't say you can rearrange freely; "move two" suggests you can relocate two of them.

So assume after removing one, you have six matches in a row (perhaps the gap is ignored, or they are contiguous).

To form a 0, which is a rectangle, you need: two vertical matches for left and right, and two horizontal for top and bottom, but for a rectangle, you need four matches: top, bottom, left, right — but that's only 4 matches, and you have six, so you can make a larger rectangle or something.

For a simple 0, in matchstick puzzles, it's often made with 6 matches: for example, a hexagon, but usually for digit 0, it's a rectangle with 6 matches: top, bottom, and two on each side, but that would be 2 for top, 2 for bottom, 2 for left, 2 for right — 8 matches, too many.

Standard way to make digit 0 with matchsticks: use 6 matches to form a rectangle: specifically, for a rectangle that is 2 matches wide and 1 match high, but then it's not square.

Typically, for a square 0, you use 4 matches for the perimeter, but that's only 4, and you have 6, so perhaps with diagonals, but not.

In seven-segment, 0 uses 6 segments, as said.

So to form the digit 0, you need to arrange 6 matches in the seven-segment pattern for 0.

From a row of 6, you need to move several to form the shape.

But the puzzle says "move two", so perhaps only two need to be moved if the others are in place, but in a row, none are in place for 0.

Unless the initial "seven matchsticks" are already in a configuration, but the puzzle doesn't specify, so likely they are in a row or as 8.

Perhaps for puzzle 4, the "seven matchsticks" are arranged as the number 7 in Roman numerals: VII, which uses 3 matches for V and 2 for I, but V is two matches, I is one, so VII is V+I+I = 2+1+1=4 matches, not 7.

To write VII with matchsticks, V might be made with 2 matches (/\), I with 1, so VII is 2+1+1=4 matches.

Not 7.

Perhaps each stroke is a match, but V is two strokes, so 2 for V, 1 for each I, so 4 for VII.

Still not 7.

I think I need to accept the seven-segment interpretation and assume that "move two" is a mistake or for a different purpose.

Perhaps "then move two" means to move two matches to complete the zero, but in the 8 to 0 by removing middle, you don't need to move.

Another idea: "take one away" means remove one matchstick, leaving six, which are arranged as 6 (digit), then "move two" means to move two matches to turn it into 0, and as above, you can move the middle match to the upper-right position — that's moving one match.

To move two, perhaps you move the middle match to upper-right, and also move another match to adjust, but not necessary.

Perhaps for digit 6, if you move the lower-left match to upper-right, you get 9, not 0.

Let's calculate the segments.

Digit 6: a,f,g,e,d,c on.

Digit 0: a,b,c,d,e,f on; g off.

So to convert, you need to turn on b and turn off g.

So you can move the match from g to b — that's one move.

If you must move two matches, perhaps you move g to b, and also move, say, c to somewhere, but then you lose c.

Not good.

Perhaps you move two matches to swap positions or something.

I recall that in some puzzles, "move two" includes the act of taking away, but here "take one away" is separate.

Perhaps "take one away" is not removing, but setting aside, and "move two" is relocating, and "leave zero" means the final count is zero, but that would require removing all, not possible.

Let's look at puzzle 5 and 6 for insight.

Puzzle 5: Take away six matchsticks from the fifteen shown to leave ten.

The image shows a shape with 15 matchsticks. From the description, it's likely a 3x3 grid of squares, but 3x3 grid has how many matches?

For a 3x3 grid of squares, number of horizontal matches: 4 rows * 4 matches = 16? Let's see.

For m x n grid of squares, number of horizontal matches = (m+1) * n

Number of vertical matches = m * (n+1)

For 3x3 grid: hor = 4*3 = 12, ver = 3*4 = 12, total 24 matches — too many.

The puzzle says "fifteen shown", so probably not 3x3.

From the text: "from the fifteen shown to leave ten."

And in the image description, it's likely a specific shape.

Since I can't see the image, I need to infer.

Commonly, for such puzzles, it might be a 2x2 grid with additional matches, or a different shape.

Another common shape is a large square divided into smaller ones.

Perhaps it's a 3x3 grid but only the outline or something.

Let's assume it's a shape with 15 matches.

"Take away six" means remove six matchsticks.

"Leave ten" — probably means that after removing six, there are ten matchsticks left, but 15-6=9, not 10, so not that.

"Leave ten" likely means that the remaining arrangement represents the number 10 or has ten of something.

Probably, "leave ten" means that there are ten matchsticks left, but 15-6=9, contradiction.

Unless "take away six" means remove six, but "leave ten" means something else.

Perhaps "leave ten" means that the number of squares or something is ten.

But the puzzle says "leave ten", and in context, likely the number of matchsticks or the value.

Another interpretation: "take away six matchsticks" means remove six, so 9 left, but "leave ten" might mean that the arrangement forms the number 10.

With 9 matchsticks, you can form the digit 10, which in seven-segment: 1 uses 2 segments, 0 uses 6, total 8 segments, so possible.

But you have 9 matches, so perhaps with an extra.

But the puzzle is to take away six from fifteen to leave ten, so after removing six, you have nine matches, and you arrange them to form "10".

But the puzzle doesn't say you can rearrange; "take away" might imply remove, and "leave" means what remains is ten, but 9≠10.

Perhaps "leave ten" means that there are ten matchsticks left, but 15-6=9, so impossible.

Unless "take away six" means something else.

Another idea: "take away six" means to remove six matchsticks, but "leave ten" means that the number of enclosed regions or squares is ten.

But with 9 matches, hard to have 10 squares.

Perhaps the initial shape has 15 matches and some squares, and after removing six, you have ten squares left.

But the puzzle says "leave ten", not "leave ten squares".

In puzzle 4, "leave zero" likely means the number 0, so here "leave ten" likely means the number 10.

So probably, after removing six matchsticks, the remaining nine are arranged to form the digit 10.

But the puzzle doesn't specify that you can rearrange; "take away" might imply only remove, not rearrange.

In matchstick puzzles, when you "take away" or "remove", you usually just remove, and the remaining is as is, but for "leave ten", it might mean the configuration represents 10.

So likely, the initial arrangement is such that after removing six specific matches, the remaining nine form the shape of "10".

For example, if the initial shape is a large digit or something.

Commonly, for this puzzle, the fifteen matchsticks are arranged as the digit 8 or something, but 8 uses 7, not 15.

Perhaps as the number 15 itself, but 1 and 5: 1 uses 2, 5 uses 5, total 7, not 15.

Another common shape is a 3x3 grid of points or something.

Perhaps it's a matchstick representation of the number 10 with extra matches.

Let's assume that the initial shape is a large square or grid.