Can you have 2 solutions to a 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.

How many solutions can there be to Sudoku?

There are exactly 6, 670, 903, 752, 021, 072, 936, 960 possible solutions to Sudoku (about 10^21) . That's far more than can be checked in a reasonable period of time. But as luck would have it, it's not necessary to check them all. Various symmetry arguments prove that many of these grids are equivalent.

How do you know if a Sudoku has multiple solutions?

A sudoku can have multiple or unique solution based on the clues and their positions in the grid. If a sudoku has less than 17 clues then it will definately have mutliple solutions. But if it has 17 or more clues it can have unique or multiple solutions based on the clues positions.

What is rule of 2 Sudoku?

Rule 2 - Each column must contain the numbers from 1 to 9, without repetitions. The Sudoku rules for the columns on the grid are exactly the same as for the rows. The player must also fill these with the numbers from 1 to 9, making sure each digit occurs only once per column.

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).

Must A Symmetric Puzzle Have 2 Solutions?

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 are the 3 rules of Sudoku?

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).

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 uniqueness rule in Sudoku?

As an application one has the Uniqueness Argument: Whenever one has a nonempty set of initially open cells, and two candidates at each of those cells, such that among these candidates each value occurs zero or two times in each row, column and block, then the actual solution differs in at least one cell from both ...

Can you use the same number twice in Sudoku?

Sudoku puzzles cannot have the same number twice in any row, column or box (container). You can take advantage of this by using deduction to determine (1) which numbers are missing, and (2) where the missing numbers go.

Can all Sudoku 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. Even though it may require highly complicated solving techniques you're not familiar with.

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.

What is the last possible number rule in Sudoku?

Last possible number is a simple strategy that is suitable for beginners. It is based on finding the missing number. To find the missing number you should take a look at the numbers that are already exist in the 3x3 block you are interested in, and in the rows and columns connected with it.

What is the minimum number to complete Sudoku?

For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This paper explores the ”Minimum Sudoku Problem,” that says there must be at least 17 clues in order for a Sudoku Board to have a unique solution. We prove uniqueness up to seven clues for 9x9 boards.

Do Sudoku players have high IQ?

From this case study it can be concluded that an individual who is skilled at solving Sudoku puzzles likely has a high general IQ. The results of the weak correlation between Sudoku scores and the WAIT test indicates that in some cases a high Sudoku doesn't necessarily mean a high general IQ.

What is the smartest way to play Sudoku?

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 Sudoku 4 cell rule?

Rules of Quadruple Sudoku

The object of the puzzle is to fill in the whole 9x9 grid with numbers 1 through 9 (one number per cell) so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains all the nine different numbers 1 through 9. The clues are in the form of sets of four special clue-numbers.

What is the most clues in Sudoku?

An ordinary puzzle with a unique solution must have at least 17 clues, but this is not mathematically proven. There is a solvable puzzle with at most 21 clues for every solved grid, with the largest minimal puzzle found so far has 40 clues in the 81 cells.

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 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 an evil Sudoku puzzle?

What is Sudoku Evil? Sudoku evil is a 9×9 grid sudoku puzzle with the highest possible level of difficulty. It's an advanced level only for experienced sudoku solvers.

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.