what is the general strategy to solve sudoku?

Question

which approach is better box or raw/column?

Answer 1

I start by number - I start with 1 or 9 and go in order and try to fill in the "gimmies" first. It's an easy puzzle and there are a lot of boxes filled in then I go with the box approach and start with the boxes that have 5 or move answers.

Answer 2

What i do (it works almost every time) is this:
I look at a 3x3 squarein the left corner and try to solve for the #'s 1-9.
Then I try the ONLY PLACE the number I am looking for can go into (in this case, 1) by the process of elimination. If there is a one in the first line of squares at the very top, I know the 1 can't go in the top 3 squares in the 3x3 square.the I do the same process going vertically and diagonally and when it comes to only one square left that 1 can go into, then I put it there.
***If you can't find out where it goes, then skip it and move on to the next number or it will screw up.Then come back when you know where it goes.
When you're done going through the numbers, then move onto the next square.
It may seem like this will take awhile but it means less erasing so it will go faster and by KnOwInG the one goes there, it also helps to find out where exactly the rest of the numbers have to be.
I made this strategy last year and it was made it less stressfull and you finish Wayyyyy faster.
Hope this helps you! n_n

Answer 3

I first look to see if I can find where one number belongs in each box. If I reach an area where there are multiple spots in a box where I can put the number, I look at the rows and columns to see if they can help me out at all. If they can't help me, I move on to a different number to see if that would get rid of some of the open spots. Then, I move in and use those same moves all over again. But, if worse comes to worse, I put a number in one of the spots and proceed on to see if it works in that spot. If it doesn't, I go back, take it out, and I try again.

I hope this helps you in some way. It works for me. I can normally solve a sudoku puzzle in under 20 minutes. Sometimes, I can even finish a puzzle in under 5 minutes. If there is any other way I can help, please let me know and I'll try to help as much as I can.

Answer 4

First,

"Scope numbers".. Use the sudoku rule that says "one number per smaller box" to "squeeze out" or "scope out" which boxes have only one option. Go 1 to 9 or whichever way works for you and you'll find that at least 2 or 3 of the same number often leave only one possible space left for that number in adjacent smaller boxes..

Once you "scope out" or "squeeze out" as many as you can.. Then begin counting rows and columns.. It's much easier in this order.

This will solve most medium level puzzles and lower...

Advanced techniques (i.e. eliminating groups of number per row / column) would require a very detailed explanation.

Answer 5

First, get the obtrusive, 2 rows with an same decision, you are able to many times surely locate the third. There are virtually continually a number of those. it truly is purely right discovered by practice somewhat. No commonly used rule, yet I continually initiate with the above approach and go from there. usually circumstances I somewhat ought to write into the packing packing containers 2 or 3 opportunities. Say a million and a couple of are the in problem-free words 2 opportunities in 2 packing packing containers of an same row, then you are able to eliminate a million and a couple of for the last 8 contained in the row.

Answer 6

Find a better more creative use of your time. This is just a silly fad disguised as mental training. Volunteer at the SPCA or an "old folks home". Make art, play classical music or meditate. Do ANYTHING besides trivial junk.