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Sudoku Puzzle
Sudoku is a popular numbers game that anyone can learn to play- adults, teenagers, and even kids. Whether as a pastime or a learning exercise, sudoku is both a challenging and entertaining activity for a lot of people.
Sudoku Definition & Meaning
Sudoku is a puzzle wherein players use logic and number placement to achieve the objective of the game.
The objective of sudoku is to complete the grid- a 9×9 square- by inputting the numbers 1 to 9 without repeating any number in a column or row.
What Is Sudoku?
Sudoku is a number placement game that consists of grids and subgrids with the aim of filling the grid with numbers. The term ‘sudoku’ means ‘single number’. Even if number puzzles started to appear as early as the 19 century, the modern version of Sudoku only really gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s when a Japanese puzzle company published the game.
5 Types of Sudoku
Easy Sudoku
Along with crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles are a staple in many publications such as newspapers and magazines. For people who are interested to play the popular numbers game, it might be best to start at the beginner level first. By starting with an easy sudoku puzzle, like the example below, you can better prepare yourself for harder and more advanced levels.
Medium Sudoku
Once you have gotten the hang of it, you can then proceed to a more intermediate Sudoku level. A medium sudoku puzzle game will surely prove to be more challenging and mentally stimulating. There are many different variations of the game, but the classic and modern version of Sudoku is by far the most well-known.
Sudoku Puzzle
Playing a sudoku puzzle is an excellent way to keep your mind active and alert. The logic-based game consists of a grid or square and the overall goal is to complete the square by filling in the numbers from 1 to 9, without repetition. It can be tough and frustrating for some, but studies have shown that playing mentally stimulating games like Sudoku can keep dementia and other memory-related diseases at bay.
Sudoku With Numbers
You can only play classic Sudoku with numbers, so it is basically an exercise in Math and logic. The game is supposed to test your cognitive ability, memory, and concentration. And if you want to save money and design your own Sudoku table or worksheet, you are free to use multiple file formats such as PDF, PNG, or JPG.
Sudoku For Kids
Sudoku is a great way to teach kids number placement and to help develop children’s brain function. But it can’t just be a plain or normal sudoku puzzle, it has to have a colorful design decorated with symbols and clipart to attract and retain the child’s attention. You can use the customizable sudoku template for kids and then create printouts for students to answer.
Sudoku Uses, Purpose, and Importance
Like many puzzle-themed games, Sudoku is a fun and challenging activity that anyone can play. It is essentially a numbers game that requires a keen sense of logic and reasoning.
Promotes Brain Activity
Sudoku, like other mentally-stimulating games, helps keep the brain sharp and alert. The famous numbers game is a good mental exercise that promotes brain function and a host of cognitive capacities. Cognitive abilities such as deductive reasoning are particularly highlighted in number-placement games like Sudoku.
Develop Logica and Arithmetic Skills
Since Sudoku requires you to complete a 9×9 square without repeating any numbers, your logical thinking is starkly tested. And being a numbers game, your arithmetic and math skills are also activated when you play a game of Sudoku. All this makes it an ideal game not just for adults or grownups, but even kids and students.
Improve Concentration and Memory
Engaging in regular games of Sudoku can greatly improve your concentration and memory. Since it is number placement type of game, the ability to recall is essential. Playing even just a game or two of uninterrupted Sudoku can help players focus and concentrate.
Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Several research studies have revealed that Sudoku and other mentally stimulating puzzle games can keep dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other related illnesses at bay. Those that intentionally keep their minds active have a far lesser chance of developing severe memory loss. The popular saying “If you don’t use it, you end up losing it” aptly applies in this case.
Productive Pastime
Sudoku was developed as a game or a puzzle game to be exact. Puzzles are casual games that are both entertaining and relaxing. For some people, the sense of order and logic in playing a game of Sudoku brings a certain calm that helps them relax and reduces their anxiety.
What’s in Sudoku? Parts?
Title
Whether you are creating a Sudoku puzzle for class or for fun, you need an appropriate title for your worksheet. A simple title should do the trick, but make sure you use bold font and place the title at the top of the page.
Rows
A sudoku puzzle is characterized by its square or grid. The classic Sudoku puzzle has a 9×9 grid that contains rows or horizontal lines that’s used to form a table.
Columns
You cannot form a table with just rows. A Sudoku table must also have nine equal columns to complement the nine rows.
Cells
Sudoku has a main 9×9 grid and within this grid are subgrids. These subgrids are 3×3 squares with equal and symmetrical spaces.
Numbers
Depending on the difficulty level, the number placement would vary. Generally, the more advanced the level, the lesser numbers are given to make the game more challenging for the player.
Graphics
A Sudoku puzzle can be as plain and simple as you want it to be. But you are also free to incorporate graphic design into your puzzle, you can add colors and images to make it more visually attractive.
How to Design a Sudoku Puzzle
1. Choose a standard Sudoku size
2. Determine the objective of your Sudoku puzzle
3. Pick a Sudoku template of your choice
4. Provide an appropriate title for your Sudoku puzzle
5. Create a grid and subgrids composed of equal rows and columns
6. Strategically place numbers in some of the squares/spaces
7. Customize the graphics by adding pictures, background colors, and other elements
Sudoku vs. Chess
Sudoku is a number placement game that requires logic and critical thinking skills to complete the puzzle and achieve the game’s objective.
Chess is a two-player board game that comes with sixteen pieces; and through a series of strategic moves, the aim is to ‘checkmate’ your opponent’s king piece.
What’s the Difference Between a Sudoku, Crossword, and Word Search?
A sudoku puzzle is a numbers game that makes use of a grid and subgrids with the objective of filling in all the squares or spaces with numbers between 1 to 9, without repeating a number in a row or column.
Crossword is a casual game wherein the player must fill in boxes with letters to form words based on predetermined clues.
Word Search is a word game where the objective is to look for complete words either horizontally, vertically and sometimes, diagonally across a grid puzzle with jumbled up letters.
Sudoku Sizes
It is of utmost importance that your Sudoku puzzle follows the correct format. These basic Sudoku sizes are the most widely-used and recommended sizes.
- Classic Sudoku (9×9)
- Shi Doku (4×4)
- Roku Doku (6×6)
- Maxi (12×12)
- Number Place Challenger (16×16)
Sudoku Ideas and Examples
There are dozens of ways to design your own Sudoku puzzle game. Browse the selected Sudoku ideas and templates below and find one that suits your creative needs!
- Sudoku Ideas and Examples
- Multi Sudoku Ideas and Examples
- Sudoku with Answers Ideas and Examples
- Blank Sudoku Ideas and Examples
- Sudoku Grid Ideas and Examples
- Simple Sudoku Ideas and Examples
Sudoku FAQs
What to include in a Sudoku puzzle?
In a Sudoku puzzle, a series of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical squares should be included in order to form a grid.
What is a hidden triple in Sudoku?
A hidden triple is a strategy or technique in Sudoku that occurs when three cells in a column, row, or block have three numbers that are the same.
Is there only one solution to every Sudoku?
In general, yes there is only one unique solution to every properly-designed Sudoku puzzle.
What is a jellyfish pattern in Sudoku?
A jellyfish pattern in Sudoku occurs when four rows have a potential candidate or number in only four columns.
What makes an effective Sudoku puzzle?
An effective Sudoku puzzle is well-planned, challenging, and mentally stimulating to the player.
How do you find hidden pairs in Sudoku?
When searching for hidden pairs in a Sudoku puzzle, you are looking for two numbers that exist in only two cells within a certain row, block, or column.
What is the benefit of Sudoku?
Playing Sudoku can greatly enhance and challenge your intellect, stimulate the brain, and develop your cognitive skills.
What level Sudoku is hardest?
The hardest and most challenging Sudoku level is the Expert level wherein only a few numbers are shown on the Sudoku square.
What type of intelligence is needed in Sudoku?
Sudoku requires a certain kind of fluid, logical, and methodical thought process but not necessarily a very high IQ.
What are the rules of Sudoku?
The basic rule and main objective in a Sudoku puzzle is to fill a 9×9 square or grid with numbers from 1 to 9 without repeating any number in a column or row.
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