Is there only one way to solve Sudoku puzzles?

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.

Is there only one way to solve Sudoku?

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.

Are there different ways to solve a Sudoku puzzle?

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.”

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.

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.

How to Play Sudoku for Absolute Beginners

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 is the rule of 3 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 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.

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.

Is there a way to beat Sudoku 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.

How do you solve a hard Sudoku without guessing?

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 key to Killer Sudoku?

The 45 Rule

An essential Killer Sudoku solving technique is the "45 rule". This uses the fact that every row, column and block must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9 once. Therefore, the total of all numbers in one row, column or block will always be 45.

What is the swordfish technique in Sudoku?

The Sudoku Swordfish strategy is a single-candidate technique that uses 3 rows and 3 columns. This means the player only needs to focus on one digit. The grid must contain 3 rows or 3 columns where the digit is a candidate to only 2 or 3 cells.

What is the trick to solve Sudoku fast?

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 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.

How many Sudoku patterns 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 happens if I solve a Sudoku daily?

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.

Does Sudoku improve memory?

Sudoku is a great game to help improve memory. Why? It's because Sudoku normally works with a set of numbers that go in certain places. Once you learn where the numbers go and how to work them in it is a matter of remembering what you need to do in order to win.

Is Sudoku on hard 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.