Image Credit:
Missing Block
Category: Shape and Color | Added: May 29, 2009
On this grid are two triangles made up of several different colored pieces. The first triangle is complete, however the second triangle which appears to consist of all the same pieces as the first has a square missing. Where has it gone ? Try counting the blocks that make up each piece - are they the same ?
Comments (44)
Posted by YiJiun on June 18, 2015
It is all about the steepness of the slopes of the 2 small triangles. Count the squares to calculate the steepness of their respective slopes. Slope of the smaller Green triangle = 2/5 (moving up 2 squares for every 5). It is 3/8 for the slope of the Red triangle. Simply put it, they are not equal. Thus, the presumption that the top and bottom (with the additional white square) big "triangles" have the same total areas is the biggest trick of this optical illusion.
It is all about the steepness of the slopes of the 2 small triangles. Count the squares to calculate the steepness of their respective slopes. Slope of the smaller Green triangle = 2/5 (moving up 2 squares for every 5). It is 3/8 for the slope of the Red triangle. Simply put it, they are not equal. Thus, the presumption that the top and bottom (with the additional white square) big "triangles" have the same total areas is the biggest trick of this optical illusion.
Posted by geethanajli on March 16, 2015
the missing one is added to the red blooks. It has one extra.
the missing one is added to the red blooks. It has one extra.
Posted by amelia on January 2, 2015
it doesn't have a missing square it just has been placed differently so it looks like there is one missing cute them out and place them on top of each other cutting them out from what the top one looks like and arrange one to look like the bottom one using the same amount of squares and it looks like this image.
it doesn't have a missing square it just has been placed differently so it looks like there is one missing cute them out and place them on top of each other cutting them out from what the top one looks like and arrange one to look like the bottom one using the same amount of squares and it looks like this image.
Posted by Davy on March 11, 2014
Place a ruler along the long side (hypotenuse) of the top triangle. The line bows inward toward the centre of the triangle, Now do the same along the long side of the bottom triangle. The line bows outward away from the centre of the triangle. The difference in space between the inward and outward bows equals the space of one missing block.
Place a ruler along the long side (hypotenuse) of the top triangle. The line bows inward toward the centre of the triangle, Now do the same along the long side of the bottom triangle. The line bows outward away from the centre of the triangle. The difference in space between the inward and outward bows equals the space of one missing block.
Posted by Sorin on February 25, 2014
the triangles from the second image are not identical to those from the first. There is a small margin along the diagonal line of the big triangle, the amount of the margin equals the missing place. PS: look the the grid in comparison to the two triangles you will notice that the diagonal of the second one is slightly levetid than the first one.
the triangles from the second image are not identical to those from the first. There is a small margin along the diagonal line of the big triangle, the amount of the margin equals the missing place. PS: look the the grid in comparison to the two triangles you will notice that the diagonal of the second one is slightly levetid than the first one.
Posted by JAKE on January 28, 2014
HARD TO EXPLAIN.
HARD TO EXPLAIN.
Posted by V on October 2, 2012
EASY!!
EASY!!
Posted by bush_god on May 9, 2012
Sigh. So simple. On the hypotenuse (of the perfect TRIANGLES - who can't see that these are triangles?!) - just shift the 2 colored triangles. The top piece is smaller than the bottom piece. So, when it's put in the position of the bottom piece -- and the middle piece re-inserted -- it shifts the position of that middle piece, creating that "empty" square. From the other perspective; the bigger triangle at the top (in the 2nd arrangement) also shifts the middle shape a bit further than it originally was, and hence, the space was created. Shapes in the 1st and 2nd figures all have the SAME AREA. However, the positioning/arrangement of the 2 triangular shapes cause the middle shape to be placed in a position that "causes" an empty space to be created. What skittlezrock161 is also perfect. It reflects the properties of a commutative equation. That is all folks!!! Legendary Brilliance!!
Sigh. So simple. On the hypotenuse (of the perfect TRIANGLES - who can't see that these are triangles?!) - just shift the 2 colored triangles. The top piece is smaller than the bottom piece. So, when it's put in the position of the bottom piece -- and the middle piece re-inserted -- it shifts the position of that middle piece, creating that "empty" square. From the other perspective; the bigger triangle at the top (in the 2nd arrangement) also shifts the middle shape a bit further than it originally was, and hence, the space was created. Shapes in the 1st and 2nd figures all have the SAME AREA. However, the positioning/arrangement of the 2 triangular shapes cause the middle shape to be placed in a position that "causes" an empty space to be created. What skittlezrock161 is also perfect. It reflects the properties of a commutative equation. That is all folks!!! Legendary Brilliance!!
Posted by Skittlezrock161 on April 24, 2012
Easy, the placement. It's like a math equation that isn't in the commutative property.
Easy, the placement. It's like a math equation that isn't in the commutative property.
Posted by zaza on March 20, 2012
the red at first image is one square larger than the red in the second image ... duh!
the red at first image is one square larger than the red in the second image ... duh!
Posted by RUSTY on March 7, 2012
The red is longer than the green....When turned around it leves a space...
The red is longer than the green....When turned around it leves a space...
Posted by Katie on January 20, 2012
I read all the comments but I'm still confused...
I read all the comments but I'm still confused...
Posted by Charles on January 5, 2012
the area of the first triangle is 30.5 however the total area of the individual blocks adds up to 30. this means that the big "triangle" is not triangular
the area of the first triangle is 30.5 however the total area of the individual blocks adds up to 30. this means that the big "triangle" is not triangular
Posted by Thomas on December 19, 2011
I dont understand it, because im dutch
I dont understand it, because im dutch
Posted by Bob on December 13, 2011
adgag
adgag
Posted by Willis Cao on November 30, 2011
The explanation for this is that the hypotenuses of both the red and the blue triangles are bent. There is no such possibility as a 13 x 5 triangle. Notice where the red and blue triangles meet that in the other one it is lower.
The explanation for this is that the hypotenuses of both the red and the blue triangles are bent. There is no such possibility as a 13 x 5 triangle. Notice where the red and blue triangles meet that in the other one it is lower.
Posted by ana on September 27, 2011
boring
boring
Posted by KL2 on August 17, 2011
yup.. true.. both formed pieces are not triangles. They are quadrilaterals.
yup.. true.. both formed pieces are not triangles. They are quadrilaterals.
Posted by bennyboo2005 on April 22, 2011
orange and yellow moved trick
orange and yellow moved trick
Posted by Chris on November 10, 2010
I agree with xxxxxxxxxx! I drew this thing in AutoCAD and the overall shapes are actually quadrilaterals. I drew it with precision in AutoCAD, mirrored the triangle without the \"missing\" piece, and there was a gap. The gap had the EXACT area of the \"missing piece\" :)
I agree with xxxxxxxxxx! I drew this thing in AutoCAD and the overall shapes are actually quadrilaterals. I drew it with precision in AutoCAD, mirrored the triangle without the \"missing\" piece, and there was a gap. The gap had the EXACT area of the \"missing piece\" :)
Posted by xxxxxxxxxx on November 4, 2010
The small triangle is 5x2 giving it a ratio of 2.5:1, the larger \"red\" triangle is 8x3 giving it a ratio of 2.7:1. This means the hypotenuse of the two triangles are different (about 1* or so), giving the over all shape four sides. If one were to mirror the triangle (without missing square) along its hypotenuse, one would find a gap in the center along the hypotenuse with the same area as the missing square.
The small triangle is 5x2 giving it a ratio of 2.5:1, the larger \"red\" triangle is 8x3 giving it a ratio of 2.7:1. This means the hypotenuse of the two triangles are different (about 1* or so), giving the over all shape four sides. If one were to mirror the triangle (without missing square) along its hypotenuse, one would find a gap in the center along the hypotenuse with the same area as the missing square.
Posted by yuukino on October 7, 2010
the two triangles have the same shapes... there is not a box that is removed....
the two triangles have the same shapes... there is not a box that is removed....
Posted by Beverly on September 9, 2010
its not that hard at all the green was under the orange to make a rectangle and the little green triangle was on top and made the tip of the big triangle and the red made the base but now they made the little green become the base and the red the tip the others had to be long enough for it to complete the base so they opened it up and now it looks like a missing a peice
its not that hard at all the green was under the orange to make a rectangle and the little green triangle was on top and made the tip of the big triangle and the red made the base but now they made the little green become the base and the red the tip the others had to be long enough for it to complete the base so they opened it up and now it looks like a missing a peice
Posted by massimo on August 18, 2010
I just cannot explain this, it is scaring.
I just cannot explain this, it is scaring.
Posted by q8 on August 2, 2010
The area of the whole triangle is 32.5 the red triangle 12 the blue triangle 5 the green piece 8 the yellow piece 7 if you count them = 32 we mis a .5 I think the wrong in the lines
The area of the whole triangle is 32.5 the red triangle 12 the blue triangle 5 the green piece 8 the yellow piece 7 if you count them = 32 we mis a .5 I think the wrong in the lines
Posted by hazel on July 23, 2010
because if you count the yellow square(the guide lines)has a three while the green have only 2 square.get it??? =)
because if you count the yellow square(the guide lines)has a three while the green have only 2 square.get it??? =)
Posted by LisaLover on July 17, 2010
i CANNOT do this!
i CANNOT do this!
Posted by KL on June 21, 2010
These are not triangles. They are quadrilaterals. If you look closely you will see that there is a slight angle in the hypotenuses of the \"triangles\" -- that is, there are actually four sides to the figure: the two obvious ones, and two for the long side. I think that that was what the foreign person was trying to say, just in clearer words.
These are not triangles. They are quadrilaterals. If you look closely you will see that there is a slight angle in the hypotenuses of the \"triangles\" -- that is, there are actually four sides to the figure: the two obvious ones, and two for the long side. I think that that was what the foreign person was trying to say, just in clearer words.
Posted by Luna on May 15, 2010
You have to arrange the colors differently then it will all fit together and the whole thing will be perfect!!
You have to arrange the colors differently then it will all fit together and the whole thing will be perfect!!
Posted by Hahahaha on March 21, 2010
It isnt possoble i cant get it
It isnt possoble i cant get it
Posted by lil on March 15, 2010
I dont understand it ...
I dont understand it ...
Posted by Poo on January 21, 2010
its easy you just need to arrange the triangles differently DUH!!!!!! No one can say i\'m wrong on this one.
its easy you just need to arrange the triangles differently DUH!!!!!! No one can say i\'m wrong on this one.
Posted by Doctor on January 17, 2010
They are not triangles, just measure the angles if you don\'t believe me. They are concave quadrilaterals or arrowheads if you like.
They are not triangles, just measure the angles if you don\'t believe me. They are concave quadrilaterals or arrowheads if you like.
Posted by Julie on January 7, 2010
The reason is because of the way the colored shapes are aranged. I counted every colored square, and compared them. If you do the same, then you will see. Trust me. I am right on this one.
The reason is because of the way the colored shapes are aranged. I counted every colored square, and compared them. If you do the same, then you will see. Trust me. I am right on this one.
Posted by Carter on December 22, 2009
Its easy it all depends on how you place the triagles. the diamater changes due to the fact some triangles perimeter may not all fit in a certain place.
Its easy it all depends on how you place the triagles. the diamater changes due to the fact some triangles perimeter may not all fit in a certain place.
Posted by mer on November 25, 2009
they switched triangles... which might of allowed the orange block to shift, then create an illusion... like that game \"jelly blocks\" (search it on google, or addicinting games)!
they switched triangles... which might of allowed the orange block to shift, then create an illusion... like that game \"jelly blocks\" (search it on google, or addicinting games)!
Posted by channy on November 24, 2009
no illusion at all...
no illusion at all...
Posted by 1835SEBI on November 7, 2009
it look like an illusion but if you draw a line between sharp angles o trianghle you will see that: the longest line from triangle in not a line is made from two line. Is more simple to make all shape from big paper and will see a little diference af angle. sorry about my englesh but I hope you manage the ideea.
it look like an illusion but if you draw a line between sharp angles o trianghle you will see that: the longest line from triangle in not a line is made from two line. Is more simple to make all shape from big paper and will see a little diference af angle. sorry about my englesh but I hope you manage the ideea.
Posted by Brian on October 18, 2009
the bottom triangle is larger than the top triangle. each triangle are not triangles they both have 4 corners. look closely at each overall triangle/straight lines.
the bottom triangle is larger than the top triangle. each triangle are not triangles they both have 4 corners. look closely at each overall triangle/straight lines.
Posted by Deakon on October 7, 2009
Copy the image cut each piece out slowly put them back together 1 by 1 to create the bottom image. I makes me so angry
Copy the image cut each piece out slowly put them back together 1 by 1 to create the bottom image. I makes me so angry
Posted by lola on August 28, 2009
is it because the way the orange shape is?? idk...
is it because the way the orange shape is?? idk...
Posted by Alex on June 15, 2009
easy mate
easy mate
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I'd say Davy has it right. The hypotenuse on the top is bowed inward, on the bottom it is bowed outward (compare where the hypotenuse crosses the grid lines, you can see they are slightly off - to account for one extra square out of 32 (3% by volume), you don't need to cheat by much), therefor the bottom one is slightly bigger, accounting for the missing piece when the components are rearranged. I thought they could do the same simply by making the grid lines 3% narrower, no need to resort to bending lines.