Question

What is the number of matchsticks required to make “262226” with them ?

• A. 21
• B. 26
• C. 32
• D. 36

Answer 1

The correct option is C 32


From the image above, we see that 5 matchsticks are required to make 2 and 6 matchsticks are needed to make 6.
So if the number of twos is taken as 'a' and the number of sixes is taken as 'b'.
The number of matchsticks needed to make the two's $=5\times a=5a$
The number of matchsticks needed to make the six's $=6\times b=6b$
Total number of matchsticks $=5a+6b$
In the number 262226, there are 4 '2's and 2 '6's.
Hence, a = 4 and b = 2

Therefore, the total number of matches required $=5a+6b=5\times 4+6\times 2$
$=20+12=32$