If you could only move two sticks, what is the absolute largest number you can create?

Cracking the Puzzle

Standard thinking might lead you to try changing the initial digit '2' into a '3' or a '9' by moving matches within the digital layout. For instance, as noted in the image comments, a popular approach yields numbers like 3990.

However, true lateral thinking allows you to completely shatter the layout constraints. The most brilliant solution doesn't just change the face value of the digits—it expands the number of digits entirely:

• Take the top and bottom horizontal sticks from the first '9'. This turns that '9' into an '11' (using the two remaining vertical sticks).

• Use those two removed sticks to create a brand-new digit '1' at the very front or back of the sequence.

• By dynamically changing the number of digits, you can scale the value exponentially into the tens of thousands!