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8x8 KenKen challenge


bonanova
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KenKen is like sudoku. The numbers 1 - n fill the columns and rows of an n x n grid.

Numbers are further constrained, to obey certain mathematical operations.

Two numbers inside a box marked 3- would have to differ by 3. e.g., 5 and 8 in some order.

Three numbers in a box marked 15x would have a product of 15. 1, 3 and 5 in some order.

 

Here is an 8x8 KenKen puzzle where the boxes are just marked with a number, like 3 or 15.

The mathematical operation is not specified. You have to figure that out as part of the puzzle.

 

One hint is that a boxes that contains more than 2 numbers must be either add or multiply.

Boxes that are marked 1 must be subtract: the other operators would require identical numbers or zero.

 

Each box should be solved as completely as possible before solving rows or columns.

A box with 1 number contains the marked number.

A box with 2 numbers marked 15 could be either 3x5 or 7+8. Nothing else.

A box with 2 numbers marked 12 could be 2x6, 3x4, 4+8 or 5+7. Only the number 1 would be excluded.

A box with 3 numbers marked 12 permits all eight numbers.

And so forth.

 

This KenKen puzzle is one that I have not been able to solve.

A gold star to anyone who solves it.

Good luck

 

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Thank you for posting, it was a really good exercise. Even more so because I was able to do it without any trial and error.

After solving this, it somehow reminded me of your signature (not that I did anything great). 

"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution."

 

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I didn`t play Kenken before, so may I ask about it...

1- if it is like sudoku, does it mean that  each row or column should have the numbers from 1 to 8?

2- in 1st row, there is a single box having number 5, and in 5th row a single box having number 3...shall we put them as such?

3- in case of 3 boxes, is it possible to subtract three numbers?..e.g. 8-5-1

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Very nice.

I could not make any substantial progress without guessing, but even so I could not sort out the options in rows 3 and 4.

I never found the 5-2-5 answer in the first two columns.

Two stars for no trial and error.

 

 

 

Thanks, never earned a gold star before. System keeps track of it?

Finding out a2, a3 (chessboard) was my first move. 

Surprisingly there were no multiplication and division.  :o

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Very nice.

I could not make any substantial progress without guessing, but even so I could not sort out the options in rows 3 and 4.

I never found the 5-2-5 answer in the first two columns.

Two stars for no trial and error.

 

 

 

Thanks, never earned a gold star before. System keeps track of it?

Finding out a2, a3 (chessboard) was my first move. 

Surprisingly there were no multiplication and division.  :o

box.

 

The star is just my own thing. Nothing to do with the site.

I have unabashedly called it the "coveted bonanova gold star" with tongue in cheek, of course. ;)

 

Yes, it's surprising that everything is + and -; also surprising that the solution flowed from the 7-1 box.

I'll give it another try.

Again, great solve.

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