january-2010

BRAIN TEASERS
SUDOKU
Sudoku.
The objective of Sudoku is to fi ll in the missing
squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box
contains the numbers 1 through to 9. To get
you started, here are a few tactics...
Scan each horizontal and vertical band
consisting of three 3x3 boxes. It’s often
easiest to start in a spot with the most
numbers already given. If you can fi nd the
same number in two rows, you know that
number must be in the third (the same goes
SUDOKU EASY SUDOKU MODERATE
3 2 6
6 9 1
2 6 1 4
4 9 8 3
3 6
6 7 1 4
7 8 6 5
1 5 6
4 1 2
68 JANUARY 2010
Grab a pencil, put on your thinking
cap and join the craze!
for columns). Now see which intersecting
rows and columns can be eliminated because
they also contain that number. (This method
is called slicing and dicing.)
Some Sudoku fans like to pencil in possible
answers in the corners of individual squares.
Once you have a few numbers fi lled in, you
may also fi nd it handy to jot down a list of
missing numbers for each row, column and
box. Good luck! See page 71 for answers.
2 7 1
7 2 3 5 4
5 1 2 8
4 7 9
8 4 9 5
9 3 5 6 8
1 9 7