Are all Sudoku puzzles unique?

The short answer is no.

While people commonly think that Sudokus can only have one unique solution, any puzzle with seven or fewer starting clues must mathematically have multiple solutions. This is because in these Sudoku puzzles there cannot be a clue for every digit from 1 to 9 in the initial clue.

Are Sudoku puzzles unique?

A properly formulated Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution. One can assume that a given puzzle actually is properly formulated, and use that in the reasoning, to exclude branches that would not lead to a unique solution.

Are all Sudoku puzzles the same?

Realistically, no! There are 6,670,903,752,021,072,936,960 possible solvable Sudoku grids that yield a unique result (that's 6 sextillion, 670 quintillion, 903 quadrillion, 752 trillion, 21 billion, 72 million, 936 thousand, 960 in case you were wondering).

How many different Sudoku puzzles are possible?

That's an impressive feat. There are exactly 6, 670, 903, 752, 021, 072, 936, 960 possible solutions to Sudoku (about 10^21) .

Does every Sudoku has unique solution?

A well-formed Sudoku puzzle is one that has a unique solution. A Sudoku puzzle can have more than one solution, but in this case the kind of logical reasoning we described while discussing solving strategies may fall short. There are examples of rank-3 Sudoku puzzles with 17 givens that are well-formed.

Top Nine Most Often Used Strategies for Solving Expert Sudoku Puzzles

What is the 45 rule in Sudoku?

The 45 rule is a basic solving-technique in Killer Sudoku. Each house (row, column, nonet) must add to 45 (the sum of the digits 1 through 9).

What's the trick to solving Sudoku?

There are more than a few techniques to solve a Sudoku puzzle, but per Conceptis Puzzles, the easiest way to a Sudoku solution is to, “Scan rows and columns within each triple-box area, eliminating numbers or squares and finding situations where only a single number can fit into a single square.” If you're looking to ...

Is Sudoku good for the brain?

Sudoku keeps your brain active and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, a most common cause of dementia that affects a person's thinking and behavioural skills. Stimulates your mind: The game works on your logical thinking process as you are absorbed in solving a puzzle and eventually improve your number skills.

What is the one rule in Sudoku?

Sudoku Rule № 1: Use Numbers 1-9

Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

Can you solve Sudoku mathematically?

In fact, mathematical thinking in the form of logical deduction is very useful in solving Sudokus. The most basic strategy to solve a Sudoku puzzle is to first write down, in each empty cell, all possible entries that will not contradict the One Rule with respect to the given cells.

Is there a logic to Sudoku puzzles?

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, one needs to use a combination of logic and trial-and-error. More math is involved behind the scenes: combinatorics used in counting valid Sudoku grids, group theory used to describe ideas of when two grids are equivalent, and computational complexity with regards to solving Sudokus.

What is the most addictive puzzle since Sudoku?

Invented by Japanese mathematics teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto in 2004, KenKen is an elegant and rich logic puzzle with a few easy-to-understand rules, which helps explain why New York Times Puzzle Editor Will Shortz called it “The most addictive puzzle since Sudoku.”

Is Sudoku impossible without guessing?

Can all Sudokus be solved without guessing? The short answer is yes. Every proper Sudoku puzzle can be solved without ever having to make a guess. Another way of thinking about it is that every Sudoku puzzle can be solved logically.

What is the hardest Sudoku puzzle in the world?

A Finnish mathematician claims to have designed the world's most difficult Sudoku. The numerical puzzle took Arto Inkala three months to design, and it has only one solution - one that only the sharpest minds will discover, he told the Daily Telegraph.

Is Sudoku an intelligent game?

Although it may seem like nothing more than simple number puzzles, Sudoku is a great way to exercise your mind and enhance brain function. It is said that this game can help with mental tasks such as quickness, memory, and even problem-solving skills.

What is the hidden triple rule in Sudoku?

"Hidden triples" applies when three cells in a row, column, or 3x3 block contain the same three Notes. These three cells also contain other candidates, which may be removed from them.

What is not allowed in Sudoku?

You can use only numbers from 1 to 9. Each 3×3 block can only contain numbers from 1 to 9. Each vertical column can only contain numbers from 1 to 9. Each horizontal row can only contain numbers from 1 to 9.

What is the 159 rule in Sudoku?

Normal sudoku rules apply: Each row, column, and region indicated by thick borders in the grid must contain the digits 1 to 9 once each. 159: Digits in column 1 indicate the column in which the digit 1 appears in that row (e.g. if r4c1 is a 6, r4c6 is a 1).

What is the average time to complete Sudoku?

It is believed that the average Sudoku player spends approximately 20 minutes solving a typical Sudoku puzzle. For very hard puzzles, that number can be much higher. While the game itself can be challenging and complex, several strategies can be used successfully to find the solution.

What kind of person is good at Sudoku?

Orderly, Methodical Mind

The best Sudoku players know how to cut through the visual clutter of a Sudoku grid and start scanning immediately for the most valuable clues and information that they need – they know how to apply a process to the Sudoku grid where they can see which places are the most promising.

Does Sudoku fight dementia?

“Just sitting down and doing Sudoku isn't probably going to be the one key thing that's going to prevent you from developing Alzheimer's disease,” she said. Moreover, doing only one type of puzzle or another is not the key either. The brain needs to be exercised, just like any other muscle in the body.

What is the swordfish technique in Sudoku?

A Swordfish is a 3 by 3 nine-cell pattern where a candidate is found on three different rows (or three columns) and they line up in the opposite direction. Eventually we will fix three candidates somewhere in those cells which excludes all other candidates in those units.

How do you find hidden pairs in Sudoku?

If you're looking for hidden pairs, you're looking for two numbers which only exist in two cells within that area – even though there will be other candidates in the same cell “hiding” them. For triples, you'll be looking for three cells, and so on.

What is the fastest solve for Sudoku?

A Sudoku Master from China Wang Shiyao solved 9x9 sudoku grid in 54.44 seconds at the World Sudoku & Puzzle Championship held in Prague. However...