Are Sudoku solutions always unique?

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.

Does every Sudoku have only one solution?

Sudoku is a number puzzle consisting of a 9 x 9 grid in which some cells contain clues in the form of digits from 1 to 9. The solver's jobs is to fill in the remaining cells so that each row, column and 3×3 box in the grid contains all nine digits. There's another unwritten rule: the puzzle must have only one solution.

Is there such thing as an unsolvable Sudoku puzzle?

A Sudoku is unsolvable if there is no way to fill in all the spaces without violating one of the rules of Sudoku. An Sudoku is invalid if the clues given violate one of the rules of Sudoku. The minimum number of clues needed for a invalid Sudoku is obviously 2.

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).

How do you make a unique Sudoku solution?

Sudoku minimum number of clues problem

But it's not just puzzles with 7 or fewer clues that can have multiple solutions. Finding the minimum number of clues required in order for a Sudoku to have a unique solution is known as the Sudoku minimum number of clues problem. The answer to this problem is 17.

What Is Uniqueness?

What is the uniqueness trick in Sudoku?

UNIQUE RECTANGLE (TYPE 1) : If three corners of the rectangle are "Bi-Value" Cells with the same candidates and if one or both of these candidates are present in the Cell in the fourth corner, then none of these candidates can be the solution in the fourth corner; otherwise, this would lead to a Deadly Pattern.

How many unique Sudoku solutions are there?

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). That's way more than the number of stars in the universe.

What is Sudoku rule of 1?

Rule 1 - Each row must contain the numbers from 1 to 9, without repetitions. The player must focus on filling each row of the grid while ensuring there are no duplicated numbers. The placement order of the digits is irrelevant. Every puzzle, regardless of the difficulty level, begins with allocated numbers on the grid.

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.

Is there a formula for Sudoku?

For example, in the first and fourth columns beginning from the left of the 9×9 grid, we can form the following equations: m+n=a, g+n+f=g+c. In the second and last rows beginning from the top of the 9×9 grid, the following equations can be formed: b+g+f=a+g, e+n+m=a+b+d.

What are the weird rules for Sudoku puzzles?

And here are the special rules: “Any two cells separated by a knight's move or a king's move (in chess) cannot contain the same digit. Any two orthogonally adjacent cells cannot contain consecutive digits.”

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 ambiguity rule in Sudoku?

During this process the designer must be careful not to remove two numbers that would cause an ambiguity (where those two numbers could be swapped and the puzzle could be completed two different ways, therefore having two solutions). This is what is called the sudoku ambiguity rule.

Can there be 2 solutions to Sudoku?

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.

Are there ever multiple solutions to a Sudoku?

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.

Is Sudoku just guessing?

Sudoku does not require guessing. In fact, when solving Sudoku puzzles, you're better off NOT guessing at all. Sudoku is a logic puzzle, using the power of simple deductive reasoning and process of elimination to fill in the gaps in the grid. Simply put – you don't need luck to play Sudoku.

What is the average time to solve a Sudoku?

It can be incredibly challenging to solve a Sudoku puzzle. That's what makes it fun. 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.

What is the magic number in Sudoku?

Now Gary McGuire, a mathematician at University College Dublin, has come up with what he says is a proof that finds the minimum number of clues, or starting digits, needed to complete the game is 17.

What is a swordfish 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.

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).

Are 1 and 9 consecutive in Sudoku?

Consecutive Sudoku Rules

The rules of Consecutive Puzzles are as follows: Place the numbers 1-9 once in each row, column and 3x3 bold-lined box in the grid. Green bars between squares indicate that the values in those squares are consecutive.

What is the best algorithm to solve Sudoku?

The simplex algorithm is able to solve proper Sudokus, indicating if the Sudoku is not valid (no solution). If there is more than one solution (non-proper Sudokus) the simplex algorithm will generally yield a solution with fractional amounts of more than one digit in some squares.

What is the most efficient algorithm to solve Sudoku?

Backtracking algorithm is the fastest algorithm to solve sudoku puzzles, It is by far the fastest compared to the other two methods. Also, let's note that each algorithm was faster with harder problems than with easier problems.