Page 94 - (DK) How to be a GENIUS?

BRAIN GAMES

Many number puzzles rely on logical
thinking rather than math skills.
Sudoku and Kakuro, for example, are
puzzles you solve by filling in blank
squares with the right numbers
according to certain logical rules.

Tips and tricks

6 8 1 2 4 5 A good place to look first is
the row or column with the most
numbers. Here, the middle row
2 3 5 6 is missing only 2 and 8. If you
check the rest of the numbers in
4 5 6 3 2 the vertical columns that the
middle row’s blank squares sit
2 9 6 4 in, you should be able to figure
Sudoku out which numbers go where.
The classic Sudoku puzzle consists 4 3 6 1 9 5 7
of a 9 x 9 grid of squares divided into
nine boxes of nine squares. Every
vertical column, horizontal row, and box 1 4 5 6 Middle row
must contain the numbers 1 through 9.
Some squares already contain numbers, 6 9 8 7 4
and your job is to figure out which
numbers go in the empty squares. 5 3 4 8 1 Another trick is to look for
Start with this puzzle and pick up
sets of three numbers, known
some tips and tricks before moving 8 7 2 3 5 as “triplets.” Look at the middle
on to try a few more on your own.
column of three boxes, shaded
gray. The top two already
Starter Sudoku contain 1. This means that
1 must go in the right-hand
1 6 8 3 column of the bottom box.
Check the rows and you’ll
5 9 3 8 6 realize there’s only one place
the other 1 can go.
8 9 7 1 4

Slightly harder
7 5 4 6 1
5 1 2
6 2 5 9 7
1 7 3 6 9
4 8 1 2 5
5 7 3
5 1 9 6 3
6 7 9 8 2
8 1 3 4
5 4 2 7
3 2 8 4 9 7
8 2 3 6 1 5

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Never guess which number goes in a
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p o s s i b i l i t i es s, w ri t e t t h e e m s m a l l i n p en c i l 4 8 1 3
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possibilities, write them small in pencil
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in the corner of the squares and erase 9 8 5
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t them as you eliminate them.. 6
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2011
(c)
Dorling
Kindersley.
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Reserved.
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.
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