i need help with really hard sodoku puzzles. (long question)
boxes stand for the 3×3 boxes, and squares stand for each individual sqaure.
so here are the tricks i already know.
1. doing the thing where you use a #(s) to block off any other place for a # to go, thus knowing where your # goes.
2. finding a spot, for ex. the very first square, then using the other #s in that row/column/box to find out that the only # not there is a 4(or whatever)
3. One where you use the first column, for ex. Then in the column, all but (for ex.) 4 and 5 are in it, but the top box has a 5 off to the left, therefore the 5 is in the last square, and 4 is in the other one.
4.Another is where you (for ex.) (we’re looking for 3s here) you have a box with all the middle ones taken up with #s, not the ones you want. Then Down from the box, one to the right from the middle, is a three,so therefore the column from the left has a 3, which means that the top box from the middle box has only the possibility of a 3 being somewhere in the middle, then off the the left and right of the top box are two 3s, so the 3 is in the square that still has the possibility
of having a 3.
5. Finally, where you take out a pencil, and with all the empty boxes in small writing write every possibility in the square, then let’s say there are two squares that have the only possibility of being a 3 and 5. now all the 3s and 5s can be written out of the rest from the box, and the same can be done with rows and columns. you keep doing this until you eventually crack one out to only one possibility.
Now i need another method. Please, i have done all of these, and can’t find another #, and am completely stuck. Thx.
Eric
July 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I don’t use methods. It’s as simple as counting to me. I’ve been doing these puzzles since I was 10, I’m now15, and I have never used the tiny numbers, I keep it all in my head; I find it less confusing. If you take a picture of the puzzle (that’s clear and readable), I can take a look and see if you made a mistake (which is very possible, I do all the time) and try to give you a way to fix it; which may be starting over.
If you can not find an answer to it at all, you probably made a mistake somewhere and need to find it and if you can’t, ease the whole puzzle and start over; I know it sucks but it makes it easier.
Also, if you have been working on the same puzzle for a long time, take a break and do something else for a while. It will give you time to relax and clear your head from the crazy amount of numbers. When you come back from your break, don’t go straight to the hard puzzle, do a couple easy ones to get your mind back on track. I know it sounds really annoying, but it really helps.
Good Luck!
::EDIT:: Remember, don’t let yourself get to frustrated with one puzzle, because that’s not going to help you. And it’s not a race, take your time.