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STRATEGIES FOR SUDOKU PUZZLES
from: Lynn KenilworthSudoku puzzles are very challenging puzzles that require you only to follow one rule. You do not have to go out of your way trying to digest any rules unlike other puzzles. With the Sudoku puzzle, you need to remember one rule and one rule only. But before any of that, do you know what a Sudoku puzzle looks like? Simply put, Sudoku puzzles are made up of 9 by 9 square grids further divided into 3 by 3 subgrids.
Numbers from 1 to 9 are printed on some of the cells while the others remain blank. The main objective of the puzzle is to fill in the blank squares with the numerals 1 to 9 in such a way that columns, rows and even the subgrids contain all the numerals from 1 to 9. Sounds very easy for you? Well, think again. Do not let the simple objective fool you.
Sudoku puzzles can be a challenge to solve. One need not be a mathematician to solve a Sudoku puzzle. The numerals 1 to 9 are just used for convenience. They do not serve any mathematical relationship with the other numbers whatsoever. Their arrangement on the grid is given more importance than how they might add up. That makes them more engaging yet at the same time so challenging to finish.
There are several strategies that you can use to solve Sudoku puzzles. These strategies can be summarized into 3 processes.
First is the scanning.
Scanning is performed at the initial stages of solving the puzzle as well as periodically as you solve the puzzle. Scanning involves 2 basic techniques. One is cross-hatching which is done by scanning rows or columns in order to identify in what particular region a certain arrangement of numeral should belong. This process is then repeated with the other rows or columns. The other technique is trying to count 1 to 9 in regions, rows and columns in order to identify the missing numbers.
Marking
The next strategy of a Sudoku solver is known as marking. One tries to mark possible numbers on each cell by writing them as subscripts or dots. The only drawback of this technique is that puzzles printed on newspapers and magazines are usually too small to accommodate just a few digits in normal handwriting. Sudoku solvers might need larger puzzle copy in order to effectively use this technique and there are puzzles readily available for them.
Analyzing
The last of the 3 main strategies is known as analysing. There are 2 approaches in analysing Sudoku puzzles. One is known as elimination while the other is the "what if" approach. In the elimination approach, progress in solving the puzzle is made by eliminating candidate numbers from each cell one by one until only one choice is left. After each answer has been achieved, it is necessary to scan to check if the latest number affects the overall arrangement.
In the "what if' approach, any cell with only 2 remaining number candidates is chosen and a guess is made. The steps used above are repeated unless a repeated number is found.
If no repetition or duplication of the selected number is achieved, then it is the most likely answer for that certain cell. This approach may require frequent erasures since guesses are made and may result on several trial and errors before a final answer can be reached.
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