Fun Solving KenKen

Oct 10, 2014Oct 10, 2014

Larry WeberLarry WeberLarry WeberLarry Weberlbweber@gmail.comlbweber@gmail.com

(650) 323(650) 323--31063106

What is KenKen

�� A number puzzle with simple rulesA number puzzle with simple rules

� Can be easy for small puzzles and

� A killer for large ones

�� How simple are they? How simple are they? (at home Google: “(at home Google: “kenkenkenken shortzshortz youtubeyoutube”)”)(at home Google: “(at home Google: “kenkenkenken shortzshortz youtubeyoutube”)”)

� Will Shortz of the NY Times explains

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Terminology

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Digital Photography using Picasa 11

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Strategy

�� Do freebies firstDo freebies first

�� Enter notes for constrained cagesEnter notes for constrained cages

cages with 2 possibilities for 2 cells (or 3 for 3, …)

�� Use pairs of numbers in two cells in a row (or Use pairs of numbers in two cells in a row (or column) to limit numbers in the row (or column)column) to limit numbers in the row (or column)column) to limit numbers in the row (or column)column) to limit numbers in the row (or column)

�� Use rows and columns to limitUse rows and columns to limit

� can’t be 2, 1, or 3

� so must be a 4

�� Look for rows or columns withLook for rows or columns with

� A number missing

� or only one spot for a numberFun Solving KenKen Puzzles 13

Do puzzle 95470, step by step1. Enter the freebies

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2. Enter constrained cages

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3. Use existing values to deduce values in other cages

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4. Remove notes when a number can be excluded

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5. Enter the solved cells

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6. Look at cage 45x,What can go in there?

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7. Look at cage 16x,What can go in there?

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8. Look at cage 1-, and cage 5-,What can go in those cages?

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9. Look at cage 5+ and 9+,Enter notes for those cells

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10. Finish 5+ and 9+, Finish cage 12+

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11. Finish the puzzle

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Puzzle Solved! Yippee

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More Strategies

�� As puzzles get harder, you will need to invent As puzzles get harder, you will need to invent special case strategiesspecial case strategies

�� Use paper to write all combinations for some Use paper to write all combinations for some cages and then eliminate choices, for examplecages and then eliminate choices, for example

12 = 1+5+6 = 2+4+6 = 3+4+5 and12 = 1+5+6 = 2+4+6 = 3+4+5 and

3 = 1+2 eliminating 2 of the 3 choices for 12+3 = 1+2 eliminating 2 of the 3 choices for 12+

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�� 6 is only in the 26 is only in the 2-- cagecage

�� So the 2So the 2-- cage must be 4 and 6cage must be 4 and 6�� So the 2So the 2-- cage must be 4 and 6cage must be 4 and 6

�� Therefore cage 7+ must have a 2Therefore cage 7+ must have a 2

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