
Mounting a candle on a bulletin board is a fun puzzle with many creative solutions. While it may seem like a simple task, there are a few challenges to consider, such as preventing wax from dripping onto the surface below and ensuring the candle stays securely attached to the board. This problem can be approached in multiple ways, depending on the available materials and the desired level of creativity. Some common suggestions include using thumbtacks, melting wax, or cardboard to attach the candle to the board. Additionally, moving the table or tilting the candle to control the direction of wax drips is also an important consideration. This puzzle highlights the importance of thinking outside the box and finding innovative solutions to everyday problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Task | Mount a candle on a bulletin board |
| Items available | A candle, a box of thumb-tacks, and a book of matches |
| Objective | To mount and light the candle without wax dripping onto the table below |
| Solutions | Use thumbtacks to nail the box to the board, put the candle into the box, and light the candle with the match; tack or melt the base of the candle to the board, light it, and put it out before wax drips; place the board on the floor |
| Factors for success | Friction between the candle and the board, ensuring the thumbtacks are large enough to attach the candle to the board |
| Bulletin board mounting hardware | Screws, drywall anchors, mirror clips, double-stick tape, Command products |
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What You'll Learn

Using thumbtacks to attach the candle to the board
Using thumbtacks to attach a candle to a bulletin board can be done in several ways. One method is to empty the box of thumbtacks and place the candle inside. Then, use the thumbtacks to nail the box, with the candle inside, to the bulletin board. This method ensures the candle is securely attached and avoids the issue of wax dripping onto the surface below.
Another approach is to use the thumbtacks directly on the candle. This can be done by piercing the candle with a thumbtack and then pushing the tack into the bulletin board to hold the candle in place. If the thumbtacks are large enough, they can support the candle on their own. However, for added security, you can first pierce the cork board with the tack, creating a hole, and then push the tack through the candle, ensuring a firmer hold.
A creative solution involves using the cardboard from the thumbtack box as a makeshift holder for the candle. Tear up the box and use the cardboard to wrap around the candle, securing it with thumbtacks. The friction between the cardboard and the candle will keep it in place. For extra stability, you can add another thumbtack, piercing both the cardboard and the candle.
It is important to note that the challenge of preventing wax from dripping onto the surface below should also be considered when choosing an attachment method. One strategy is to light the candle quickly after mounting it, ensuring the wax melts and solidifies in place, adhering to the bulletin board and preventing drips. Alternatively, you can tilt the bulletin board and use matches to create a shelf for the candle, catching any dripping wax before it reaches the surface below.
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Melting wax as an adhesive
One way to mount a candle on a bulletin board is by melting its wax and using it as an adhesive. This method is part of a riddle or puzzle where the task is to attach and light a candle to a cork board mounted on a wall without letting the wax drip onto the table below.
Wax is commonly used as an adhesive in packaging and industrial applications. Paraffin wax, in particular, is a popular choice for adhesive applications due to its flexibility, stability, and strength. It is often used in hot melt adhesive applications as it can control the viscosity, form fast bonds, and provide elongation benefits.
To use melted wax as an adhesive for mounting a candle on a bulletin board, you can follow these steps:
- Light the candle to melt its wax.
- Collect the molten wax and drip it onto the desired surface, such as a matchstick or the bulletin board itself.
- Quickly attach the candle to the surface with the molten wax acting as a temporary adhesive.
- Adjust the angle of the bulletin board or use a barrier, such as a book, to catch any dripping wax and prevent it from falling onto the table below.
It is important to work quickly as the wax will solidify, and you may need to reheat it to maintain its adhesive properties. Additionally, be cautious of hot wax to avoid any burns.
While melting wax can be one solution to the puzzle, there are also creative approaches that use thumbtacks, matches, or the matchbox itself to attach the candle to the bulletin board.
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Using matches to create a shelf for the candle
Using matches to create a shelf for a candle on a bulletin board is a creative approach to the candle problem, a puzzle where the objective is to attach a candle to a cork board on the wall and light it without wax dripping onto the table below.
If the cork board can be lifted from the wall, you can plant some matches close to the edge of the board with a 45-degree inclination. Then, twist the board to create a shelf. This shelf will be able to hold a small candle on top.
Another method is to take some matches and place them next to each other on a table so that they form a raft, leaving only two matches. Light one of the remaining matches and carefully melt the candle's paraffin, so that it drops onto your match raft, binding them together.
You can also tack or melt the base of the candle to the board to satisfy the attachment requirement. Attach the candle to the board and light it, then put it out before any wax melts and drips.
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Tearing up the thumbtack box for support
The "candle problem" is a cognitive performance test that measures a person's problem-solving capabilities. The task is to mount a candle to a cork board without wax dripping onto the surface below. The participant is given a box of thumbtacks, thumbtacks, a matchbox, matches, and a candle.
One solution to this problem involves tearing up the thumbtack box for support. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, take the cork board off the wall and place it on a table. Empty the box of thumbtacks and use the cardboard to tape the candle to the board. The friction between the cardboard and the candle will help keep the candle in place. To further secure the candle, you can use thumbtacks to hold the cardboard tape in place. For added stability, you can pierce the cardboard and candle together with another thumbtack.
Alternatively, you can tear up the thumbtack box and use the cardboard to create a V-shaped cup to hold the candle. You can then tack this cup to the cork board.
Another method involves etching small holes in the cork board using thumbtacks. Break off small pieces of the candle and stuff them into the holes. Heat these pieces with a match until they become molten and quickly attach the remaining candle by "welding" it to the molten pieces. Finally, tack the thumbtack box to the bottom of the candle and the cork board for additional support.
These methods effectively utilise the thumbtack box for support, ensuring that the candle is securely mounted on the bulletin board.
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Using thumbtacks to nail the box to the wall
The "candle problem", also known as Duncker's candle problem, is a cognitive performance test that measures the influence of functional fixedness on a participant's problem-solving capabilities. The test presents the participant with the following task: how to fix and light a candle on a wall (a bulletin board) in a way so that the candle wax won't drip onto the table below. To solve the problem, one may only use the following items: a box of thumbtacks, a matchbox, matches, and a candle.
The most efficient solution is to empty the box of thumbtacks, use the thumbtacks to nail the box to the wall, put the candle into the box, and light the candle with the match. This solution works because the thumbtacks are used to secure the box to the wall, preventing the candle from falling and allowing it to burn safely.
However, there are other creative approaches to solving the candle problem. One approach is to tear up the thumbtack box and use the cardboard to tape the candle to the board, using thumbtacks to hold the cardboard tape in place. The friction between the cardboard and the candle will keep the candle on the wall. To ensure it won't fall, you can use another thumbtack to pierce the cardboard and candle together. If the thumbtacks are large enough, you may be able to attach the candle directly to the board with a thumbtack.
Another approach is to put some thumbtacks into the body of the candle. Then, attach the candle to the bulletin board and light it. As the candle melts, the wax will drip onto the floor instead of the table. Alternatively, you can melt off enough wax from the base of the candle to expose the end of the wick, push a thumbtack through the wick, and then push the tack into the wall. Make sure the candle is not directly above the table, and light the candle from the bottom so that the wax drips onto the floor and not the table.
In conclusion, while the most efficient solution to the candle problem involves using thumbtacks to nail the box to the wall, there are various other creative approaches that can be explored as well. These approaches involve using thumbtacks in different ways, such as attaching them to the candle directly or using the wax to secure the candle to the wall.
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Frequently asked questions
Use removable hanging strips that can bear the weight of the candle.
You can empty out a box of thumbtacks, place the candle inside, and then use the thumbtacks to nail the box to the bulletin board.
Move the table so that it isn't directly under the bulletin board. Tilt the candle slightly so that the wax will not drip onto the table, but instead onto the floor.
Yes, but screwing into a stud will damage the wall. If you want to avoid damage, use removable hanging strips.
First, clean the wall where you will hang the board with a rag and rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, debris, and oils. Then, measure the bulletin board and use this measurement to make small marks on the wall, indicating where each of the four hook and loop hanging strips will attach. Attach the hook side of the hanging strip to the marks on the wall, and the loop side to the bulletin board. Press the bulletin board onto the wall, securing the hook and loop sides together.











































