How many toothpicks does it take to spell the word FAT?

Answer 1

This is a popular riddle that should be illustrated for explanation.

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The answers are :

• It takes 8 if you don't break any, or bend any, and use separate toothpicks to form each letter. (There are 3 in the F, 3 in the A, and 2 in the T.)
• Only 1 if you break it into pieces. You can also bend it into four equal lengths, then cross the lengths into a star shape as below.
• Only 3 if you can use the same toothpicks for all three letters. By overlapping the three toothpicks at the proper angles, you can simultaneously form an F, an A, and a T. Place the toothpicks atop each other to form a small triangle in the middle. You will see the letters F, A, and T within the angles formed. The horizontals of the F are, however, oddly splayed and not parallel.
• It depends on how big you want to make it.