KenKen

KenKen is a fun math puzzle that is like a mix of Sudoku and arithmetic. You fill a grid with numbers so that no number repeats in any row or column. Sections of the grid also have math clues that tell you how the numbers combine.

How to Play

A KenKen grid can be different sizes, from 3 by 3 to 9 by 9. Bold lines divide the grid into groups called cages. Each cage has a target number and a math operation like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

The numbers in each cage must combine using that operation to make the target number. For example, a cage marked 12x means the numbers inside must multiply to equal 12.

Why KenKen Is Great

KenKen was invented in 2004 by a Japanese math teacher named Tetsuya Miyamoto. He created it to help his students practice arithmetic in a fun way.

The name KenKen means cleverness squared in Japanese. Unlike Sudoku, KenKen uses real math operations, so it helps you practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing while solving a puzzle.

Fun Facts

• KenKen puzzles appear in The New York Times and many other newspapers.
• A 3 by 3 KenKen uses the numbers 1, 2, and 3. A 6 by 6 uses 1 through 6.
• KenKen was originally called Kashikoku Naru Puzzle, which means the puzzle that makes you smarter.

Did You Know?

The inventor of KenKen, Tetsuya Miyamoto, believes in teaching through puzzles. He says students learn better when they figure things out on their own rather than being told the answer!