Crosswords1 min ago
Sudoku Question.
40 Answers
I've recently picked up a sudoku book that's been lying about the house for years. I've always found that I've been able to complete most sudoku puzzles without having to guess in any way, just using logic.
In this book however there is a section called Very Hard which I'm finding difficult to solve using my normal technique.
My query is whether or not it is deemed acceptable, after having filled in the boxes with what I think are all the possible solutions for each box, which can sometimes be up to 4 possibilities. Is it then okay to lightly fill in one of the boxes with only 2 possible numbers and work out others from that, and if it's wrong then to change for the other number and do the same?
Or should the sudoku puzzle always be solvable without resorting to this?
I hope this is making sense and I can get a few opinions of sudoku etiquette.
In this book however there is a section called Very Hard which I'm finding difficult to solve using my normal technique.
My query is whether or not it is deemed acceptable, after having filled in the boxes with what I think are all the possible solutions for each box, which can sometimes be up to 4 possibilities. Is it then okay to lightly fill in one of the boxes with only 2 possible numbers and work out others from that, and if it's wrong then to change for the other number and do the same?
Or should the sudoku puzzle always be solvable without resorting to this?
I hope this is making sense and I can get a few opinions of sudoku etiquette.
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by flobadob. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I do my Sudokus on the computer and I usually do the very hard ones.
I find that if you go through every box to see if their is only one option you find it easier to solve.
I find that,sometimes, I am completely unable to finish one but I am not sure if the puzzle of more difficult or my brain is having a bad day. It has many bad days.
I find that if you go through every box to see if their is only one option you find it easier to solve.
I find that,sometimes, I am completely unable to finish one but I am not sure if the puzzle of more difficult or my brain is having a bad day. It has many bad days.
I've found with these so called Very Hard ones that after I've filled out all the possibilities then I'm stuck with having to make a choice on one of the boxes with two options and working things out from there.
So, for example, if I've got a box in which only 5 or 6 can go, then I can put in a 5 lightly and start working everything else out based on that.
Saying that, the logic would be that if that doesn't work out then by erasing those and putting a 6 instead of the 5, then it should work out that time so long as all other assessments are correct.
So, for example, if I've got a box in which only 5 or 6 can go, then I can put in a 5 lightly and start working everything else out based on that.
Saying that, the logic would be that if that doesn't work out then by erasing those and putting a 6 instead of the 5, then it should work out that time so long as all other assessments are correct.
To anyone who is into Sudoku this site may be of interest. Saves buying books or papers.
https:/ /www.we bsudoku .com/?l evel=2
https:/
Old Geezer I'll see if this works. This is a puzzle I worked on but could not finish without eventually having to try a 50/50. It would be interesting to see if others have techniques that could finish it without having to do this. Hope the image loads.
http:// i67.tin ypic.co m/2mn3c yc.jpg
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My wife is brilliant as Sudoku. She looks for the most difficult ones. But I think it's trial and error, as you describe, flobadob. I must admit, I use a pencil with a rubber at the other end, and if I'm struggling, I write the numbers in the corner, a bit smaller. If they're wrong, I just rub them out! Simples!!!