Sudoku Strategy: Choosing Between Two Numbers in Puzzles

Sudoku is a challenging number puzzle game where players must fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column, and 3×3 subgrid contains all digits from 1 to 9. When faced with a choice between two numbers, what should you do?

This article explores the rules, strategies, benefits, and challenges of making decisions in Sudoku. From elimination methods to online solvers, we cover everything you need to enhance your puzzle-solving skills. Are you ready to sharpen your mind and conquer Sudoku? Let’s get started!

What is Sudoku?

Sudoku is a number-placement puzzle played on a 9×9 grid of squares which is further broken down into 3×3 regions. The puzzle begins with a preset number of filled-in squares on the grid, which serve as hints for the solutions. Players must fit the numbers one through nine into the empty squares such that each column, row, and 3×3 region contains exactly one of each digit.

Keywords for sudoku include the nine by nine grid, three by three regions, rows and columns, and symmetry of the solutions. The game itself is very simple, and requires only pattern recognition and basic computational skills. However, there is surprisingly complex mathematics behind constructing Sudoku puzzles. The minimum number of starter values required to ensure only one solution is not known.

How to Play Sudoku?

Sudoku is played by completing a 9×9 grid such that each row, column, and 3×3 square contain the numbers 1-9 exactly once to satisfy the given constraints. The standard 9×9 puzzle starts with some numbers filled in. With the aid of these numbers, the player must think strategically to fill in all the remaining boxes such that the row, column, and box constraints are obeyed. A unique solution must be obtained.

What Are the Rules of Sudoku?

The rules of sudoku are that a sudoku puzzle consists of 9×9 square cells that are further divided into 3×3 squares. The objective is to fill a grid so that each column, each row, and each of the 3×3 square cell blocks contains all the digits from 1 to 9 exactly once. Some numbers are initially filled in which provide clues on how to fill in the other numbers.

What Are the Strategies for Solving Sudoku?

General strategies for solving Sudoku have not officially been determined. Players and researchers are continually developing new methods to solve the Sudoku puzzle. Logic rules based on the unique properties of Sudoku, strategies to eliminate possibilities from cells based only on the presence of values in other cells, and trial-and-error methods are all parts of the Sudoku process. Logic rules for solving the puzzle are preferred over guessing and checking methods because they provide more certainty and learn the player to see patterns in how to narrow the possibilities for each cell down. However, logic alone is often incapable of solving the Sudoku puzzle. So experts advise to use logic where possible (as Mathematician and author of the book ‘The Sudoku Effect’, Jeremy Rosenblatt indicates), then take some educated guesses when logic runs out.

An example of a simple pattern is this. Top left block. If the second cell of every row in the block looks like this, the following patterns are possible. Subtract those from the missing combinations of the original partially filled in block cells. As can be seen, that leaves only one possibility, which can now be filled in as shown in the second screenshot. An important set of strategic points for beginners to note in the actual play of Sudoku are the following:

Be sure that easy-mode entries are correct, as these are the easiest to make mistakes on.

• Practice dealing with intermediate-obstacle numbers to learn to recognize different ways to calculate missing values.
• Develop a consistent names system to track number possibilities.
• Make predictions where possible, and rewind to correct predictions where necessary.
• Audit the puzzle with your notes for each row, column, and group of blocks.

How to Choose Between Two Numbers in Sudoku?

Choose between two numbers in Sudoku based on both existing and potential future placements. When you have two numbers remaining for a square, look ahead a few moves to see what changes might happen, then choose the most advantageous option. Once you have two numbers left for a square, you can mark the possible positions of those numbers in empty cells and check the possibilities further down the line to choose the correct number.

The strategy for choosing between two numbers in Sudoku works best for pairs of numbers that have a significant number of interactions throughout the Sudoku grid. The fewer the remaining moves there are to finish a puzzle, the less availability of future options to help you make your choice. Still, seeing possible future placements can sometimes influence your choice even if the end of the puzzle is closer.

Elimination Method

The most prominent methodology to choose between two numbers in `Sudoku` is with the elimination method. To utilize the elimination method, you should ask yourself which alternative squares the weak number refers to are definitively certain. Once you know these alternative squares for the weak number, eliminate all other squares and the corresponding alternative number for the other potential choice. Then simply see if there is an alternative square for each of the choices you have. If the answer is yes then there are two potential solutions.

Pencil Marking Method

The Pencil Marking Method is usually used when players are unclear about the choices between multiple numbers. For find out and try different scenarios, candidates for a certain cell are indicated in small fonts (pencil mark) on a paper Sudoku board. When this is done, check if there is any contradiction in location among these candidacies. Contradictions will quickly emerge with the pencil mark method, showing the player where errors in previous steps have crept in.

Crosshatching Method

The Crosshatching method of solving is simple. Cross off all cells in a region, row, or column where you know a required number cannot go. After all the filled cells in a region, row or column are crosshatched for known digits, if there is only one unfilled cell remaining in the region, this is an X-digit cell. This cell cannot have the known digit and must contain an unknown digit.

Finding X-cells is the key to using the Crosshatching method to choose between two numbers in sudoku. The approach will most commonly guarantee that you are able to place 9 minus the number of filled cells in the region row or column as candidates for the unfilled cell then choose between them.

X-Wing Method

X-Wing is an advanced sudoku elimination technique used when two pairs of identical numbers share a row. The method is shown in this graphic, with each color pair representing one number. Column A shows four number copy vacations sharing one row. Because they are the only copies, the other two places have the potential to be eliminated. The red 8 and blue 7 cannot be placed in the other two rooms in that row.

The blue 7 and red 1 also cannot be placed in the other two rooms in that row. The situation is similar in Column B where we show the four squares not allowing red and blue numbers to be within their column. This is because if a red and blue number existed in Columns C and D in the same row it would allow another place for an 8 in Column A, dramatically altering the red 8.

Swordfish Method

The Swordfish Pattern is an advanced solving technique that deals directly with the elimination and identification of a bi-value element in a 3×3 Sudoku grid. In other words, it is a solution that identifies three separate rows or columns that provide the possibility of making cuts such that one of the rows or columns must contain the given number and all other non-bi-value positions in a given row or column that lie in the region are reduced a solution of two or more such rows or columns.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Between Two Numbers in Sudoku?

• Clarity: Choosing between two numbers makes it easier to logically narrow down possible values for empty cells in the grid.
• Speed: This process of process of elimination helps both beginners and experts to fill known values into a grid more quickly.
• Education: This makes the grid numerically more stable and offers learning opportunities for those who do not have the time or patience to formally learn the solving techniques.
• Forward progress: Stalled Sudoku is no fun and deciding between two numbers is a great way to move a frustrating puzzle another step forward.

We’ve investigated many angles and haven’t found substantial benefits aside from the enjoyment of the game. Solving Sudoku provides the above mentioned benefits, but there does not appear to be any research indicating that working towards a unique solution versus taking one of several valid alternatives offers any additional benefits.

Increases Accuracy

Saves Time

Choosing between two numbers in Sudoku saves time as you are able to solve the other consequences of that move without making the decision arbitrarily. In some situations, substituting a 2 or 5 (or whichever is the correct pair of numbers you are deciding between) will leave you stuck while substituting the other number will allow for a fluid sequence of moves leading towards the solution.

Improves Problem-Solving Skills

Having to choose between two numbers creates a small extra challenges within Sudoku which can help you improve your general problem-solving ability. Leggings for Everything LLC states that problem-solving skills are important in our every day life. Whether you are an engineer or you are just trying to grasp a new concept, problems crop up quickly and can be solved quickly by those who are mentally strong enough. Sudoku is an effective exercise for the brain that sharpens these abilities continuously

What Are the Challenges of Choosing Between Two Numbers in Sudoku?

The challenges of choosing between two numbers in sudoku include the following factors: One of the two numbers may itself be logically impossible, there may still not be enough Moves from here for Among, the incorrect choice will soon lead to there being too few Moves from this position, the issue is frequently non-localized and only Choosing between two numbers on Alternate Hyper-Check, and difficult patterns may require multiple rounds of Hyper-Check.

Requires Focus and Concentration

Choosing the correct number in Sudoku requires a significant level of focus and concentration from an individual. Conducting mental exercises to improve focus and concentration should help one choose a number correctly, with associated Sudoku solving being good practice. A research paper from the Technical University of Lisbon says that practicing Sudoku boosts logical reasoning, one’s ability to think step by step, and may help reduce the likelihood of dementia later in life. The more one does it, the thinking process improves.

Choosing the correct number in Sudoku becomes a tiring task when the individual works on it with a lot of focus. The individual should consider taking regular breaks in between to rest the brain. Going through successful Sudoku strategies will assist the individual to quickly improve his ability to focus and concentrate.

Can Be Frustrating

Sometimes it’s highly unnecessary if neither number appears in the block, row, or column of a specific cell. In the picture below, only 1 and 7 are possible, but they are perfectly interchangeable between two cells.

Venkata Manogna Palakodetti states that this ambiguity can make solving for the remaining cells harder. It forces the Sudoku player to interpolate what would happen if either of the two possibilities were correct. While extraordinary Sudoku players can easily handle this possibility for a single cell, often times when one has a different possible number to choose from in two other cells that complicate several other relationships, the puzzle may still be too difficult if the player wants to try to add in the remaining combinations for that cell. Sometimes it just may be a sign that one of the earlier cells was mislabeled. When faced with two possibilities for a single cell but no new progress is available with both, taking the potential off the table by making a choice can be helpful for further Sudoku puzzle completion.

May Lead to Mistakes

If you take all the possible options open for the two (or potentially more) numbers under consideration, you may find that one of them forms a foot on one number box and that another of them forms a foot on another number box. You may then find that all the possible options show you a scenario in which one potential solution leads to a mistake.

This means the player must think and place possible both numbers carefully and choose to resolve the ambiguity as early as possible. Solving one of the two numbers will then guide the player as to what is the correct placement for the number where the decision has yet to be made.

Beware of the solution that looks easy. The foot rule might spot a solution others have missed. The mistake scenario is an outcome of the effect of the distribution of pockets on the Sudoku board masking errors in candidate placement. Therefore, like the difficulty of the Implied Use reason behind the Tkameez rule, it is not at the heart of the Foot Rule. But having said that, it is yet another bonus tool in simplifying Sudoku board positions. The idea of resolution and candidate movement to unearth solutions is a helpful mantra to adopt in optimally using this rule.

How to Practice Choosing Between Two Numbers in Sudoku?

You can practice how to choose between two numbers in Sudoku or even up to three numbers by using But-For-How-Long puzzles from Martin Gardner’s 1976 book Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions. But-For-How-Long puzzles present the solver with closed boxes followed by numerical clues. Solving them provides effective feedback on the clarity of your decision-making process.

For learning purposes, it is best to begin playing the real game without tallying your choices in the margins, but just playing. This makes it blind to the player how well the changes to their strategy are working. Mistake two puzzles to add each candidate value in turn to the same puzzle. Each with a different answer choice and tally the final selection against the correct answer.

After a few weeks of practice, Sol Feldman recommends collating all of his decision tallies and calculating a percentage score for each error-prone scenario. This makes the efficacy of the new strategy easier to assess. Alternate practicing how to choose between two numbers in Sudoku between uncovering where the distinctive number places lie on the board and how to uncover the broader logic that lies beneath particular strategies.

Solve Puzzles Regularly

• Time: 0-1 minute
• Discussion: The average difficulty of sudoku puzzles that a person can solve in one minute is between easy and medium. Only in some environments will the same person take more time, such as when they are new to the rules of the game.

If players practice regularly, gaining familiarity with the rules while making this type of decision, they will become familiar with the differences in performance. Ideally, by looking at the missing numbers in square segments the player will ascertain the solution. Whenever the same decision must be made in the next game, move the same way as before (if that move does not have a negative impact).

Decision keys are developed through practice. A simple decision key is the counting technique. The player counts each time they pass the derided area during the selection and notes whether it is in an odd or even square position. If they have not passed during 50 counts of a specific segment, it is likely that the segment is a weak point of the game.

No ready-made key is available. The more the player practices on their own, the more decisions and decision keys they will accumulate.

Use Online Sudoku Solvers

You can program an algorithm to solve or generate hundreds of Sudoku puzzles for you with these steps. You generally need the developing or software engineering knowledge to do such a task. The following developers on GitHub provide open-source code in various programming languages that you can use to do it: mackensen on basic C, m-business on Ruby, CyberZHG on Python and JavaScript, PetrosMM on Java, rubik on Haskell, terhechte on Rust, ryanlayer on Julia, setzer22 on C++, archit-bose on TypeScript. Tools like Mysudo and Excel may provide some help in understanding facet constraints and implications. Relax Sudoku will let you know if 2 could be part of a valid solution.

Join Sudoku Clubs or Groups

Sudoku clubs or groups consist of individuals or organizations with a keen interest in Sudoku development, education, and social interaction. Whether it is in-person or online, clubs and groups frequently offer intense and training conducive to social motivation. There are many such groups on Facebook which frequently offer insights into new puzzles like Daily Sudoku, Perfect Sudoku, and Sudoku for All.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sudoku?

Sudoku is a popular puzzle game that involves filling in a 9×9 grid with numbers from 1 to 9, following specific rules and patterns.

How do I choose between two numbers in Sudoku?

One way to choose between two numbers in Sudoku is to look for other numbers that have already been placed in the same row, column, or 3×3 box. This can help eliminate one of the two options and make the decision easier.

What if I’m not sure which number to choose?

If you’re stuck between two numbers in Sudoku, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. See if either of the numbers can be ruled out in other parts of the grid, and try to make an educated guess based on the overall puzzle.

Can I use a process of elimination to choose between two numbers?

Yes, using a process of elimination can be a helpful strategy in Sudoku. Look for any numbers that are already present in the same row, column, or 3×3 box and try to eliminate the two options based on those numbers.

Are there any other techniques to help me choose between two numbers in Sudoku?

Yes, there are other techniques such as looking for pairs or triplets of numbers in a row, column, or 3×3 box. If one of the two numbers is part of a pair or triplet, it can help narrow down the options.

Is there a wrong answer when choosing between two numbers in Sudoku?

No, there is no wrong answer when choosing between two numbers in Sudoku. As long as the number follows the rules and fits into the correct spot in the grid, either option is valid. Remember to use logic and deduction to make the best decision possible.