Number Sudoku Puzzles
Number Sudoku requires filling in the numbers 1-9 in each row, column, and 3x3 box only once. The third box in this puzzle contains a 7, so the cells in the third box of the first row cannot contain another 7. The entire row missing a 7 must therefore contain a number in the second box.
The error is in the second box.
Methods of Solving Number Sudoku Puzzles
Number Sudoku uses only logic and reasoning. The solution methods are as follows:
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Intuitive Method
- Do not use any additional tools. Start immediately when receiving a Number Sudoku puzzle. Do not guess.
- The intuitive method involves solving Number Sudoku puzzles without the need for any additional tools or guessing.
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Candidate Number Method
- You will need to build a candidate number list for each box, row, and column.
- Use the Sudoku rules to eliminate impossible candidates.
- This method is suitable for puzzles that are not too complex.
Extended Information
Extended Information
Intuitive Method
- The intuitive method involves solving Number Sudoku puzzles without the need for any additional tools or guessing.
- This method is particularly useful for beginners and those who are comfortable with basic Sudoku rules.
Candidate Number Method
- The candidate number method involves building a candidate number list for each box, row, and column.
- This method is more advanced and is typically used for puzzles that are more challenging.
Solution Techniques
The Candidate Number Method
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Unique Candidate Numbers
- This involves identifying a number that can only appear once in a row, column, or box.
- For example, if only one cell in a row can contain a 5, then 5 must be placed there.
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Hidden Unique Candidate Numbers
- This involves identifying a number that can only appear in one box, row, or column.
- For example, if only one box can contain a 3, then 3 must be placed in that box.
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Box and Column Analysis
- This involves analyzing the contents of a box or column to determine possible placements for numbers.
- For instance, if a box already contains a 7, then another box in the same row or column cannot contain a 7.
Elimination Techniques
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Candidate Number Removal
- This involves removing numbers from a candidate number list based on the Sudoku rules.
- For example, if a cell in a row can only contain a 5 or a 7, and the puzzle already contains a 5 in that row, then 7 must be placed in the remaining cell.
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Pair Removal
- This involves removing numbers from a candidate number list based on the presence of two numbers in the same row, column, or box.
- For example, if two cells in a row can only contain 5 and 7, and the puzzle already contains a 5 in that row, then 7 must be placed in the remaining cell.
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Triplet Removal
- This involves removing numbers from a candidate number list based on the presence of three numbers in the same row, column, or box.
- For example, if three cells in a row can only contain 5, 7, and 9, and the puzzle already contains a 5 and a 7 in that row, then 9 must be placed in the remaining cell.
Advanced Techniques
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Hidden Pair Removal
This involves identifying two cells in the same row, column, or box that contain only two possible numbers and then eliminating those numbers from other cells in the same row, column, or box.
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Hidden Triplet Removal
This involves identifying three cells in the same row, column, or box that contain only three possible numbers and then eliminating those numbers from other cells in the same row, column, or box.
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Column Removal
- This involves removing numbers from a candidate number list based on the presence of a number in a column.
- For example, if a column already contains a 5, then 5 cannot appear in any other cell in that column.
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Row Removal
- This involves removing numbers from a candidate number list based on the presence of a number in a row.
- For example, if a row already contains a 5, then 5 cannot appear in any other cell in that row.
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Column Intersection
- This involves looking at the intersection of columns and boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
- For example, if a column already contains a 5 and a box already contains a 5, then no other cell in the column or box can contain a 5.
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Box Intersection
- This involves looking at the intersection of boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
- For example, if a box already contains a 5 and a row already contains a 5, then no other cell in the box or row can contain a 5.
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Cell Interaction
- This involves looking at how cells interact with each other to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
- For example, if a cell in a row can only contain a 5 or a 7, and another cell in the same row can only contain a 5 or a 9, then the 5 in the first cell must be placed in the second cell.
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Hidden Pair in Column
This involves identifying a hidden pair in a column, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same column.
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Hidden Pair in Box
This involves identifying a hidden pair in a box, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same box.
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Hidden Pair in Row
This involves identifying a hidden pair in a row, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same row.
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Triplet in Column
This involves identifying a triplet in a column, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same column.
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Triplet in Box
This involves identifying a triplet in a box, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same box.
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Triplet in Row
This involves identifying a triplet in a row, which can then be used to eliminate certain numbers from other cells in the same row.
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Column Interaction
This involves looking at how columns interact with each other to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how columns interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Row
This involves looking at how columns interact with rows to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction
This involves looking at how rows interact with each other to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how rows interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Column
This involves looking at how rows interact with columns to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how columns interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Row
This involves looking at how columns interact with rows to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Column
This involves looking at how rows interact with columns to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how rows interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Column
This involves looking at how rows interact with columns to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how columns interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Row
This involves looking at how columns interact with rows to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how rows interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Row Interaction in Column
This involves looking at how rows interact with columns to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Box
This involves looking at how columns interact with boxes to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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Column Interaction in Row
This involves looking at how columns interact with rows to eliminate possible placements for numbers.
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