Area covered by match sticks IQ

Here are twelve wooden matches arranged in a square. Each match stick is 2 inches long, which gives us a square measuring 6 inches by 6 inches. So, the matches enclose a 36-square-inch area. Rearrange these twelve matches into a new shape that will enclose an area of 12 square inches.

 Scroll down to check your answer.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Answer :

If we used the match sticks to form a right angled triangle with 8" tall and 6" wide, the area within the triangle would be 8 inches times 6 inches divided by two, which is 24 inches (8" x 6" + 2 = 24"). By stepping four of the matches in, as shown in the diagram, we drop 12 square inches of area, which leaves us with an enclosed area of 12 square inches, which is the required solution.