Sudoku
Return To Game
Sudoku is a game that requires no mathematics skills.
It is easy to learn and fun to play.
What is Sudoku?
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Sudoku (SOO-doe-koo) is a game
of logic based on placing the numerals 1 thru 9 into a 9x9 grid with the
following stipulations. 1. Each square
contains exactly one numeral. 2. Each
row and column of the 9x9 grid contains
all nine numerals (This means that each
row and column has no repetition of a
numerals). 3. Each 3x3 subgrid
(surrounded by a bold face line) must
contain all nine numerals.
The game begins with a set of givens, that
is, digits that are visible at the beginning of
the game. The task then is to fill in the rest
of the numerals according to the rules
stated above. Completing the puzzle
requires the use of logic, and sometimes
guess work, combined with patience.
Historically, Sudoku has its origins in
Latin Squares. A Latin Square is an n x n
(N is a positive integer) table filled with n different symbols, where each
symbol appears exactly once in each row and column of the table. Euler, a
famous mathematician of the 18th century, is credited as the source of the
modern day puzzle. In 1979 Howard Garns popularized Sudoku through his
puzzle contributions to Dell Magazine. Actually, in 1986 Nikoli, a Japanese
publishing company, discovered the old Dell Magazines and brought about a
resurgence of the game. Since then the popularity of Sudoku has grown steady
until today it is published daily in many news papers. One can also buy books
of Sudoku puzzles.
The numerals used in the Sudoku game are not relevant. You could just as
easily use the first letters of the alphabet, Greek letters, Chinese characters,
colors, shapes, or any other set of nine symbols. (I suppose you could even use
nine different sounds.) The point is that mathematics is not a pre-requisite to
solving, or creating Sudoku puzzles. However, this being said, the use of
reasoning and logic (what mathematicians love about mathematics) are an
important factor in being able to solve the puzzles. In fact it is amazing that
something so simple could require and/or develop the skills for complex
reasoning. Some teachers like to recommend Sukoku puzzles as an exercise in
logical reasoning. That is why I as a mathematician have provided it on my
website as a valuable game for education.
The game below (provided by BaldFish Software) has the following options:
1. Play a game that is not created by the program. You enter in the digits given
by the author of the game, then finish the Sudoku board by entering the digits
according to the rules above. Select Your Own Game.
2. The program generates a game according to the difficulty level you specify.
The givens are displayed in the Sudoku table. Finish the Sudoku table
according to the rules above. Select Computer Generated Game.
3. Design a game of your own. You select each table entry. The program
assists you. You select the givens.
Return To Game