| A Sudoku Puzzle. is a number puzzle containing the | | | | out the little number written in that block, row or column, |
| numbers 1 to 9 in 9 rows of cells, 9 columns of cells | | | | as the number can no longer be an option for those |
| and 3 x 3 blocks of cells.ie each row has to have the | | | | cells. This could open up more definite answers which |
| number 1 to 9each column has to have the numbers 1 | | | | you will write in big. |
| - 9each block of 3 x 3 cells have to have the numbers | | | | ~ You will be left with cells which have varying number |
| 1 to 9 | | | | of little numbers written in. You will have to use your |
| When you look at the puzzle there will be empty cells | | | | detective powers to figure out the rest. For example if |
| and cells with numbers. | | | | there are two empty cells in block 1 and in a row and |
| The aim of the game is to place a number from 1 to 9 | | | | you are trying to work out the number in a cell in the |
| in each empty cell so that each row, each column and | | | | same row but in another horizontal block eg block 2, |
| each 3 x 3 block contains all of the numbers 1 to 9. | | | | the number in that cell of question cannot be any of |
| And no number can appear twice in any row, column | | | | the two numbers in block1. |
| and each 3 x 3 block. | | | | Idea 2: |
| There are Sudoku Puzzles at varying levels from | | | | This idea starts off differently than idea 1 but ends up |
| easy, medium ,hard and genius. | | | | with the same process. |
| So, how do you solve a Sudoku Puzzle? | | | | What you do is: |
| I have three ideas as follows: | | | | ~ Look at each of the three blocks in a column. Notice |
| Idea 1: | | | | any number which is written in two of the blocks eg 6. |
| You will need to place all probable numbers from 1 to 9 | | | | Work through each number one at a time. |
| in each cell. Take each number one at a time and do | | | | ~ Now locate the block where that number is missing |
| the following nine times. | | | | eg 6 and look at the vertical cells |
| This example is with the number 1. | | | | If there are two numbers written in the column then 6 |
| 1.Look at the top left corner block of 3 x 3 cells. If | | | | has to go in the empty cell. |
| there are no 1's in that block then continue with step 2 | | | | If there is one or no numbers in the column, then look |
| etc. If there is a 1 in that block then move on to | | | | across the row(s) to see if that number eg 6 exists in |
| another block, either across or downwards and look | | | | any of the other two blocks. |
| for 1's. Move onto step 2 etc if there are no 1's or | | | | If there is a number 6 written in the other blocks then 6 |
| another block if there are 1's. Continue like this until all | | | | cannot go in the cell of question. |
| blocks have been completed. | | | | If there is not a 6 written in the other blocks, then a 6 |
| 2. Write a 1 in all the empty cells which could be a 1, | | | | can be written down either big or small. The number |
| either small or big. | | | | will be big if there is a number eg 6 written in each of |
| ~ To determine if a 1 should go in the empty cell, work | | | | the other two blocks. |
| through each empty cell one at a time. | | | | ~ Repeat this process for the next two sets of |
| ~ Choose a cell and look across the row at the other | | | | vertical 3 x 3 blocks and then the three horizontal |
| two blocks to see if there are any other 1's. If there is | | | | blocks. |
| another 1 in that row then you will know that a 1 will not | | | | ~ Then go through and do the complete process |
| go in the empty cell of question. If there is not another 1 | | | | again, taking into account the big numbers you have |
| in that row then follow the next step. | | | | just written in. |
| ~ Look down/up the column at the other two blocks to | | | | ~ Work through each block one by one with the |
| see if there are any other 1's. If there there is another 1 | | | | numbers 1 to 9 and write down small and big numbers |
| in that column then you will know that a 1 will not go in | | | | in each cell. Remember, you choose a number, look |
| that empty cell of question. If there is not another 1 in | | | | across and down/up to see if that number is there or |
| that column then write a small 1 at the top of the cell. | | | | not and write the number, big or small, if the number |
| There are occasions when you will know that '1' has to | | | | does not exist in the adjacent row or column. |
| go in that cell, in which case you will write in a big 1. An | | | | ~ Then follow through step 3 in idea 1 to complete this |
| example of this is where you find a 1 in two of the | | | | process. |
| other columns and two of the other rows.Another | | | | Idea 3: |
| example is where you find a 1 in two of the other | | | | You can randomly place numbers 1 tom 9 in the |
| columns and one of the rows plus having a number | | | | empty cells and hope it works. |
| written in one of the other cells. | | | | There are variations of the Sudoku Puzzle which are |
| ~ When you have finished looking at all the cells, write | | | | using |
| a number 1 down somewhere on the page away | | | | 1. letters of a word |
| from the square of numbers, to remind you what | | | | 2. symbols |
| number you have worked through. | | | | 3. mixture of numbers and letters |
| ~ Repeat above process with the numbers 2 to 9, | | | | 4. musical signs eg notes, rests |
| one at a time. | | | | 5. a 4 x 4 matrix or more |
| 3. Now it is time to fill in the blank cells with big | | | | You have now read and maybe tried some methods |
| numbers. | | | | for solving a Sudoku puzzle. Why not go forth, |
| ~ Some cells may only have one number in them after | | | | stimulate your mind and have fun with your logic. |
| the above process. Write that number in big and cross | | | | |