Sudoku Math Puzzles News, Links and Answers

Resolved Question: 2nd Grade Math/History/other Homework?

Yeah, I know. It's sad. I'm helping my little sister with her homework and I have noooooo clue. Here's the fill in the blank: Word Box- Fibonacci Lo Shu Sudoku Pascal Ramanujan Maya Patterns Tangram Magic Squares Sioux 1. BLANK is a legendary turtle from China 2. Benjamin Franklin liked to create BLANK 3.There are seven pieces in a BLANK puzzle 4. Four was a special number to the BLANK 5. BLANK studied the series of numbers 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 6. BLANK is a puzzle similar to a magic square 7. BLANK studied a triangle with a special number properties 8. The BLANK knew that the number zero was an important number 9. BLANK studied different combinations of numbers 10. BLANK appear in many mathematical puzzles I already got about half of them; the easy ones of course. But some I'm not so sure of, so answer the ones that you can. AND WE CAN FIND OUT... WHO'S SMARTER THAN A SECOND GRADER!!!!!!!! :D :D :D Ok, so that was a lame joke. Just answer the questions please Thanks! more

Resolved Question: Math Puzzle! Solver Gets 10 Points!?

I have created a math puzzle for you to solve. I thought of it while doing a sudoku, which you will find is somewhat similar to this puzzle. I hope you enjoy it! It is a visual puzzle, so you can find the image here: http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq279/erikleeson/?action=view&current=NumberJunctioncopy.png You can print the image and solve it with a pencil, or you can draw a replica of it, or solve it in your head. It doesn't really matter. Now, here are the instructions for the puzzle. Fill in each circle with a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 so that each row and each column contains only one 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Also, each black diamond is the sum of the values in the four adjacent circles. Think you can do it? Good luck! P.S. For your answer, just tell me the numbers from left to right, or you can visually type it like a 5x5 grid. more

Resolved Question: How much time should it take for someone to solve an easy Sudoku puzzle?

OK, so from wherever you might be solving Sudoku, I am sure they tell you the level, like easy, medium and hard. So, I just solved an easy Sudoku puzzle and it took me 9 minutes. Is the time I took normal? Or, do easy Sudoku puzzles require even less time than what I used? P.S. - I am a very new Sudoku player :) P.P.S. - I put this question in this category because there was no other category which seemed suitable to me for this question. Moreover, I think Maths people would be playing Sudoku. more

Resolved Question: Anyone know of some good math exercises to keep your mind running?

I am looking for some type of game or exercises to brush up on just everyday type of math such as being able to multiply, add, subtract in your head faster or something along these lines. I bought a sudoku puzzle book thinking it would be something like this but actually it doesnt involve any math at all, still a good mind exercise just not what I am looking for. Anyone know of anything like this? more

Resolved Question: Sudoku tips & tricks?

I want to know sudoku tricks to solve them faster! Is there any formula like maths or any specific principles to solve those puzzles?... I want to approach them systematically rather than guessing or scanning!... I searched net but could not make it... Kindly provide me some sites or pdf's on sudoku solvings tricks, methods.... Thank you... more

Resolved Question: help with my extra credit project!?

im in 10th grade algebra 2 honors, but that's unnecessaryy to know for this.. im failing and really need the extra credit, and my projects due monday any help on it would be amazing :] heres my assignment: scavenger hunt - (things i need to find) ("starred * items need a reference so i can verify your anser && means you must show work") 1. a picture of a real life tessellation 2. names and pictures of the two men credited with developing calculus 3. an example of a fractal and an explanation of what a fractal is 4. one graph from a newspaper or magazine * 5. the names of three female mathematicians and what they did * 6.the expansion of a binomial (using your initials as variables) to the 7th power with pascal's triangle (my initials are jk if u plan on helping me with this one) 7. the name of the designer pyramid at the Louvre 8. this correctly completed sudoku puzzle(done) 9.the number of different squares made from a 12 X 12 square of graph paper, if a 4 X 4 piece has 30 squares (idk wat this is sayingggg?) 10. a published example of scientific notation from a magazine or newspaper * 11. a published cartoon that has math in it * 12. the original price of shoe that have been marked down 15% twice and are now $61.41 13. the tuition at a college* and what amount you parents had to save at 5.2% continuously compounded interest 18 years ago to save enough for one year (idk wat this meannssss?) 14. one example of how some aspect of math is used in music with brief explanation * 15. how to draw an ellipse with string and a pencil * 16. the age of math teacher who said, "My son is 24 years younger than I am. He, in turn is 25 years older than my grandson. My grandson and I together are 73 years old." 17. an original age word problem like # 16 with a complete solution 18. how long will it take to pay back $800 on a credit card that charges 23.5% interest compounded monthly if you pay $50 per month? * im obviously not asking for all the answers, just some help like if you know a website that can help me or something thatd b great! :] thank you bunches! <3 more

Voting Question: Where can I find a printable math puzzle (not sudoku)?

It has to challenge a 10th grader a little bit. It also needs an answer and a puzzle that is unique and not too common. Thanks! more

Resolved Question: Which one do you like best? Quiz?

1. baths or showers 2. drawing or painting 3. cake or pie 4. caramel or milk chocolate 5. flip flops or tennis shoes 6. sudoku puzzles or crossword puzzles 7. science or math 8. tv or computer 9. puppy or kitty 10. beach or swimming pool 11. night or day 12. dragons or unicorns more

Resolved Question: What can you tell me about statistics-or any other math career?

I am a junior in high school and I am determined to figure out my future plans (meaning college and career choices). I want to find a career involving math. Some possibilities are: statistics, pharmaceutical science, and engineering--However, I have talked to some people recently and they believe that engineering involves a talent for solving Rubix cubes and Sudoku puzzles, which I'm pretty bad at. Ever since I was little I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I am starting to see that my family cannot afford 8 years of schooling for me. I am hoping that I can find a career that only requires 4-6 years of schooling. I am also considering salary amounts, the demand for these jobs (would it be possible to find a job near me-in Reading, PA?), and job convienience (would I have to travel far to find a decent job?). If anyone could please give me more information or suggestions on these career choices, it would really be appreciated. more

Resolved Question: What type of engineering should i major in?

Ever since i remember i have loved math and science. I know I want to be an engineer. For a couple of years i was thinking of going into Chemical engineering because i love lab work, but i changed my mind. Right now im thinking of going into Material Science and Engineering and also Nuclear Engineering (joint major). I'm not convinced though, i want to be sure. Do you know anything about those careers? and what would you recommend? I've tried researching them but its not helping much. Here's a little bit about me: I love math (all levels, done up to Differential Equations), thermodynamics, chemistry, strength of materials, working with my hands, fixing things, solving problems, working towards a goal, puzzles (especially Sudoku and Contractions- computer program), lab work, biotechnology (the lab part the most); i also like biology and physics but they are both too broad i think, so i like some parts more than others. Oh and in physics, i like to study more stationary objects than those in movement.Well i'm actually a Junior in college now. I'm in Utah though so my changes of observing or talking to engineers is close to none. I want to transfer but the field has to be set because i wont be able to change it.what would the difference be from nuclear and chemical though? besides the obvious. I'm really liking what i'm finding out about material science and engineering. But i want to do a joint major with either nuclear or chemical engineering. more

Resolved Question: what can you say about my introduction..?

this is my introduction on my thesis entitled "The Pigeonhole Principle: A Systematic Way of Solving Sudoku Puzzles" (thanks phoenixna). Here it is: "The mathematical omnipresence in the world is undeniable. However, many people completely overlook the fact that math forms the basis of many forms of entertainment, and perhaps addictions.” (Jenkins 2004) Most people are unaware of the fact that mathematics can be applied to anything in this world. Every single thing that we see, may contain, or may even be dominated by mathematical concepts. One example is a game called Sudoku. A puzzle whose goal is to complete the numbers in each cell of a grid, with some given constraints. A completed Sudoku puzzle is quite similar to a Latin square, wherein each number is placed in every cell such that each column and row will contain all the numbers from 1 to n. The only different with a completed Sudoku puzzle and a Latin Square is that Sudoku has an additional constraint, which is, each sub-grid or region should also have all the n numbers. Some sudoku solvers prefer to use trial-and-error method in solving the puzzle. They do not believe in the techniques, and mathematical methods on solving it. For them it is just pure logic and there is no math behind it. The Pigeonhole Principle, which states that, given two natural numbers a and b with a > b, if a items are put into b pigeonholes, then at least one pigeonhole must contain more than one item, is one systematic way of solving a Sudoku puzzle. Basically, it says that if you’ve narrowed two numbers down to two spaces, then you’ll be sure that no other number can be in those spaces.....? Is there any changes i should make? grammar okay? or should i add some more? what could be the best final statement on this? thanks! ^_^ more

Voting Question: Math/Science related project ideas?

Well in my math class alg 2 geometry B we have to come up with something to teach the class thats math or science related. I would rather do something science related because i am horrible at math. For example someone taught how to do sudoku puzzles. I just need an interesting idea if you could please help??? thankssss :) more

Resolved Question: What hobbies/interests can I put down on my application form to apply for a job.?

I don't have any specific hobbies or interests, but here's an idea of who I am. I regularly take my two dogs out for a walk, I'm learning shorthand, as I am going to study for a degree in journalism. I do not currently read many books. I recently finished attending a creative writing group, where I written poems and short stories. For 3 years I helped out at my school library during break and lunch, (although this was nearly 2 years ago, but I earned two student librarian certificates). I have not had a job, so there are no previous employers they can contact. I have basic maths skills, as I currently do brain training and maths training on the ds, and also starting spanish for beginners on the ds. I have made a couple of sims2 music videos which are available on youtube. That's it really, and also I like doing sudoku puzzles, but apart from that, not that much. So could you please give an example of how I could state my hobbies and interests to 'woo' the employer more

Resolved Question: what is so fun about sudoku?

seriously...i don't get what all the fuss is about...if someone wants a number puzzle, why not like type a whole page of math problems and try to solve them...i love maths...i don't get sudoku though =S.yeah im not comparing maths to sudoku either. im just saying maths is more stimulating and + it can be applied to situations in real life...sudoku doesn't teach you anything to apply to real life...it just wastes time. more

Resolved Question: I hate puzzles.. am I dumb?

I am not just that good with puzzles, not even Sudoku (don't laugh), and I don't think I would ever want to solve a Rubik's cube. But I want to look smart, or better, be smart. I feel like I am not that smart enough not embracing puzzles and math. and it seems like those professionals (doctors, lawyers) just seem to get their interests in rubik's, puzzling games.. well, I want to be professional :\ any thoughts you can share?oh yeah, just so you know, I tried puzzles.. and my brain just don't seem to function well with them.. but I do love reading :) more

Resolved Question: Accounting major?

. Ive been thinking about majoring in accounting and I want to know what kind of math is involved in it. I've heard some people say that accounting is hard, but others say its just basic adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. I have always been pretty good in math. I got A's and B's in caculus in high school and passed the AP calc exam. I also tend to be very logical and detail oriented and I like puzzles (I could play sudoku for days). My only problem is that i've never really seen myself as a "business person" and I dont know if I would like the corporate setting. Then again, any job you get is technically for some kind of business so...If you know anything about accounting, do you think that it would be suited for someone like me? If your an accountant or an accounting student, tell me what its like. Thanks so much. more

Resolved Question: accounting--what kind of math is involved?

Hi. Ive been thinking about majoring in accounting and I want to know what kind of math is involved in it. I've heard some people say that accounting is hard, but others say its just basic adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. I have always been pretty good in math. I got A's and B's in caculus in high school and passed the AP calc exam. I also tend to be very logical and detail oriented and I like puzzles (I could play sudoku for days). My only problem is that i've never really seen myself as a "business person" and I dont know if I would like the corporate setting. Then again, any job you get is technically for some kind of business so...If you know anything about accounting, do you think that it would be suited for someone like me? If your an accountant or an accounting student, tell me what its like. Thanks so much. more

Resolved Question: accounting--what kind of math is involved?

Resolved Question: What visual aid should I use for my informative speech?

I have to give a speech for my college math course on a famous mathematician named Leonhard Euler. Here is a little about him: Euler was partially blind in his 20s and become completely blind later on in his life. He was from Switzerland and some say he was the inspiration for the popular sudoku puzzles today (although a Japanese man named them "sudoku"). I cannot think of a good visual aid for my speech. I want something creative and different, but nothing cheesy or stupid. I was thinking of handing everyone in class a sudoku puzzle to solve at the end of my speech, but this is kind of dumb because there are sudoku puzzles right in our math books. Help!? Thanks so much! more

Resolved Question: What visual aid should I use for my informative speech?

Resolved Question: Do Word Finds actually increase brain power?

We all have herd how Sudoku, Crosswords, Crostics, Logic problems, word math,and all of the other associated puzzles help our brains by engaging them in activity, extending our vocabularies and extending our abilites to apply logic. But do Word Searches provide the same amount of mental stimulation? Their much simpler, and don't require the use of logic or a mass vocabulary to complete, but I'd assume they have some benefits. If so, what are they? Thanks, Steve more

Resolved Question: do you love math?

i can solve the rubiks cube and i named the sides y,x,and z axis.i also love sudoku and many puzzles but im confused steal.i hate algebra but geometry is easy for me.you think what's the problem? more

Resolved Question: Puzzling 4 by 4 Math Question! Please help me Sudoku Geniuses!?

I have no clue were to even begin on this. Here is the question: Place any 16 positive integers (using no integer more than once) into a 4 * 4 square so that the sum of the 4 numbers of each row or column equals 44. Show any work. Your help is greatly appreciated. more

Resolved Question: what do you think about math?and SUDOKU???

actually i love it, love the logic i think math is like a puzzle that we must solve it Sudoku is a game.... i like it when i'm on junior high school, i always do Sudoku on math class ^u^ more

Resolved Question: What are some examples of math puzzles?

i already have crossword puzzle of math [for math words], sudoku and words search [for math words].. any other ideas. pls ireally need it.. :((.. or games and where can i get them? i need the printable ones.. thanks in advance! more

Resolved Question: How many distinct Sudoku puzzles are there?

Can the total number of distinct Sudoku puzzles be calculated? Any experts in math stat here? How in the world would you calculate this? I was a math major many years ago, but I can't quite figure it out. Please post the solution if you can. more

Resolved Question: How do I solve sudoku puzzles?

Hi, I'm a beginner and I want to learn how to play sudoku... I know that your not supposed to use the same number twice in the same row and column. But how do I know what to fill in the blanks? How do I get an idea? How do I fill in the blank boxes? What's the objective of the game? Does it invole math? Please help me... Thank you kindly :) more

Resolved Question: Why is sudoku so popular?

I can't imagine why anyone other than a crazy mathematics professor finds it so engaging (no offence to any crazy mathematics professors who may stumble upon this). It's boring and there's no point to it. Why don't people just stick with normal crossword puzzles and word searches? I kid you not, tonight I went to Walmart to get a crossword puzzle book for a flight on Wednesday, and they had only 3 different crossword puzzle books but about 40 different sudoku books. What gives? I could imagine sudoku actually being part of the required curriculum in school maths classes in the near future... (Don't give me the crap about it being all about logic, either- there's nothing "logical" about something so boring it actually makes a flight seem longer...)As if crossword puzzles don't require having a brain? It's pretty sad that so many people have gotten so illiterate that they only understand numbers and avoid anything with words (probably why nobody ever reads the details on questions here either). more

Resolved Question: What is the minimum quanity of numbers a sudoku puzzle must have at start and yet still only have one solution

If you attempted to solve a sudoku puzzle that only had one blank square then it would be the easiest sudoku possible. On the other hand, a sudoku puzzle with 80 blank squares is almost equally as easy because there are thousands of possible solutions. There must, therefore be an optimum quantity of "starter numbers" that constitute the hardest possible sudoku puzzle by having only one possible solution and yet having the minimum of clues. Additionally i would love to see the maths behind the answer. more

Resolved Question: Math Puzzle Problem, fill in the boxes with the numbers 1-9?

I need to use the numbers 1-9, all only once in a 3 by 3 square grid. But, I have to make sure that the sum of the three numbers horizontally, vertically, and diagonally all equal the same number throughout the entire grid. Example: http://activityworkshop.net/puzzlesgames/sudoku/example.png One of those 3 by 3 boxes is what it looks like, obviously without the numbers in them, thats the closest representation i could find to the actual problem. Each row, column, diagonal line, has to sum up to the same number as the others. Please help. My mind is boggled. Thanks more

Resolved Question: Homeschooling book market?

I make puzzle books; is there a type of puzzle that would make for a good schoolbook for the home schooling market? These could be math (like kakuro), logic (like sudoku) or word (like crosswords or crostics or word searches), or some combo, aimed at specific levels of difficulty. more

Resolved Question: Sudoku Help?

Ok...I'm doing this extra credit work for my Math class and some of the puzzles are sudoku puzzles. (Which I can't understand to save my life!) Can someone help? more

Resolved Question: math issues-MAJORLY!!! helpful ideas to stop?

I'm really good at math and have had issues paying attention all year, but over the past month or two I've been doing sudoku puzzles instead. Now my mind is beginning to wonder places it shouldn't be. I wonder if i should get in trouble to get out of math class or listen to my mp3 player during class. I am REALLY having issues with this. I've already done what i can, too. I've told the teacher and the guidence counceler that I'm not challenged and even had my dad talk to the teacher. I don't know how long I'll last, but i know it won't be long. The wall and ceiling can only stay intersting for so long after sudoku.btw i did ask to be put at a higher level, but the teacher didn't even consider it. I'm twelve and stuck in 7th grade 'pre-algerbra' or to me, '6th grade review and pointing out the obvious'.also, i've had straight a's all year, and handed all my work in on time. she knows i'm bored out of my skull and has taught me a bit of algerbra, but left it alone other than that, even though she knows she could have bumped me up to aglerbra(now it's too late.) more

Resolved Question: Looking for fun 9th/10th grade basic-skill math games/activities.?

I'm in my last term of student teaching first-level (Interactive Mathematics Program I and II, plus a 'Math Recovery' project class) and looking for games or activities for my students that are FUN! Many don't enjoy Math Bingo or the 24 card game, I'm afraid, and a lot of them really despise Sudoku puzzles, so I'm hoping to find some alternatives. Any suggestions are welcome! I've got a mix of several different ethnicities (Hispanic, White, Old-Russian, Asian) and am weighted more towards a lower SES strata with a number of kids of migrant farm workers, so trying to find drills and activities that match my skill and interest levels is always tough. Thanks in advance for the advice, suggestions and the like! Orion more

Resolved Question: how many ppl do sudoku???

they are number puzzles that you dont need math skills for and you use a grid for! more

Resolved Question: Would this be good for increasing my intelligence?

Im interested in increasing my overall intelligence, and I was wondering how would I go about creating a workout schedule for exercising my mind using reading, sudoku, crossword puzzles, math problems, and classical music. Should I do all of these things on a daily basis or do one on a certain day and the other the next day any help will be greatly appreciated. more

Resolved Question: there is a puzzle new like sudoku but with math ?

Resolved Question: what is the name of that math puzzle game similar to sudoku ( I think it starts with a "k")?

As I said, similar to sudoku, numbers are given as clues in this game. However, empty fields down and across from the given clues are supposed to be filled with numbers (1-9) sum of which will give you the clue number - And the tricky part is - there can be no repeating numbers in a row or a column. more