How To Play Sudoku http://www.how-to-sudoku.com The #1 Place For Sudoku Tips And Tricks Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:52:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 How To Play Sudoku - Scanning Rows and Columns http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-scanning-rows-and-columns/ http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-scanning-rows-and-columns/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:13:00 +0000 Sudoku King http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/?p=13 Get ready to start filling in numbers! You can use this easy technique to solve most easy sudoku puzzles and fill in some missing numbers in more difficult puzzles. Before you begin, consider using a pencil and eraser so you can wipe out your markings as you work through a puzzle.

Look at one mini-grid and determine which numbers from 1 to 9 do not yet appear in the mini-grid. Remember that each number from 1 to 9 must appear once in each mini-grid.

Look across the three rows that run through the mini-grid to see if any of the rows already contain the number you picked. If the number appears in a row, the empty boxes in the row cannot contain the number since a number
can only appear once in a row. Place an X  in each empty box in the row. For example, the number 5 cannot appear in rows one and three in the above sudoku since the number 5 already appears in those rows.

After you finish scanning rows and columns, you will hopefully be left with only one empty box in a mini-grid that a number could go into. Congratulations! If you end up with more than one empty box, the boxes will have to remain unsolved for now.

Look up and down 6 the three columns that run through the mini-grid to see if any of the columns already contain the number you picked.

If the number appears in a column, the empty boxes in the column cannot contain the number since a number can only appear once in a column. Place an X in each empty box in the column. For example, the number 5 cannot appear in column eight in the above sudoku since the number 5 already appears in that column.

When you are left with only one empty box where you can place a number in a mini-grid, write the number in the box.

For each number from 1 to 9 that does not yet appear in the mini-grid, you can repeat steps 1 to 7, starting on page 14. When you are finished, move on to the next mini-grid until you finish working on each mini-grid in the entire puzzle.

]]> http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-scanning-rows-and-columns/feed/ How To Play Sudoku - Solve One Missing Number In A Row Or Column http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-solve-one-missing-number-in-a-row-or-column/ http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-solve-one-missing-number-in-a-row-or-column/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:07:04 +0000 Sudoku King http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/?p=16 When working on a sudoku puzzle, you may notice that only one number is missing in a row or column. You should fill in the missing number right away. You just need to count from 1 to 9 to find your missing number.

If only one number is missing in a row or column, move your finger along the row or column to determine which number from 1 to 9 is missing. The missing number is your answer.

To complete a row or column, write the missing number in the empty box.

Remember that each row and column must contain the numbers from 1 to 9 and the same number can only appear once in a row or column.

]]> http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-solve-one-missing-number-in-a-row-or-column/feed/ How To Play Sudoku - Solve One Missing Number In A Mini-Grid http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-solve-one-missing-number-in-a-mini-grid/ http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/how-to-play-sudoku/solving-sudokus-solve-one-missing-number-in-a-mini-grid/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:00:03 +0000 Sudoku King http://www.how-to-sudoku.com/?p=19 When solving a sudoku puzzle, you will be happy to see a mini-grid with only one missing number. You will want to fill in the missing number straight away. Counting from 1 to 9 will instantly give you the missing number.

If only one number is missing in a mini-grid. move your finger around the mini-grid to determine which number from 1 to 9 is missing. The missing number is your answer.

Write the missing number in the empty box to complete the mini-grid.
Remember that each mini-grid must contain the numbers from 1 to 9 and the same number can only appear once in a mini-grid.

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