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Our logo formed with 16 matchsticks into 5 squares
 

Here's our logo, the W pentomino, subdivided into its 5 component squares. This diagram consists of 16 unit-length sticks. You can use matchsticks or toothpicks for working these puzzles.

Sticky Squares
We've adapted a classic matchstick puzzle concept for our W. Try your hand at this series of sticky challenges:

  • Move 2 sticks to form 3 squares.
  • Move 2 sticks to form 4 squares.
  • Move 2 sticks to form 5 squares.
  • Move 2 sticks to form 6 squares.
  • Move 3 sticks to form 4 squares.
  • Move 3 sticks to form 5 squares.
  • Move 4 sticks to form 3 squares.
  • Move 4 sticks to form 5 squares.
  • Move 4 sticks to form 6 squares.
To move a stick means to pick it up and put it down somewhere else. All sticks stay flat on the table, in horizontal or vertical positions (no diagonals). Sticks may not overlap, intersect, or touch except at tips. Every tip must be connected to at least one other tip. Every stick must be part of some square. Hint:  Not all squares need to be the same size.

Morphing Pentominoes
There are 12 shapes made of 5 squares each. What is the minimum number of moves for each case of turning the W into any of the 11 others, shown below? (Seven of them are covered in the list above!) Which one pentomino is formed by omitting one stick altogether?

The other 11 pentominoes


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Bonus question:  What is the fewest number of moves to form all 12 pentominoes, transforming each into the next and ending with the one that omits one stick? Can you beat 28? Send us your best result and you may win a prize. Email to:  Pentomino Parade.

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