Sudoku

Sudoku is one of the most popular number puzzles in the world. You fill a 9 by 9 grid with the numbers 1 through 9. Every row, column, and 3 by 3 box must contain each digit exactly once. It sounds simple, but it takes careful thinking.

How to Play

A Sudoku puzzle starts with some numbers already filled in. Your job is to figure out the rest. Look at each row, column, and box to figure out which numbers are missing.

Start with rows or columns that are almost complete. If a row has every number except 5 and 8, figure out which goes where. Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices.

Tips and Tricks

Never guess in Sudoku. Every number can be figured out using logic. If only one spot in a row can hold a certain number, that is where it goes.

Scanningrows and columns for a specific number is helpful. If you are looking for where 7 goes in a box, check which rows and columns already have a 7. This eliminates possibilities.

Fun Facts

• The modern version of Sudoku was created by an American named Howard Garns in 1979.
• Sudoku became a worldwide craze after it was published in a British newspaper in 2004.
• The minimum number of starting clues needed for a unique Sudoku puzzle is 17.

Did You Know?

Even though Sudoku uses numbers, it is really a logic puzzle, not a math puzzle. You could replace the numbers with colors or symbols and it would work the same way!