Understanding Sudoku is the first book in the series Developing Mathematical Thinking Through Game-based Learning. Understanding Sudoku is not just another book of Sudoku puzzles. It is designed to guide the active reader towards discovering strategies and develop logical reasoning and proof abilities. Since Sudoku puzzles can be solved in a variety of ways, this reinforces the concept that there are many approaches to solving problems in mathematics. A completed Sudoku puzzle is a Latin Square and the final chapter focuses on the mathematical applications of Latin Squares.
Understanding Sudoku is intended for a variety of audiences. Understanding Sudoku is an activity resource for teachers of all grade levels and a fun tool for home schooling parents. Understanding Sudoku can also complement the physical exercise program for active older adults who wish to exercise their brains as well.
Sample Puzzles from Understanding Sudoku
In Understanding Sudoku we help readers discover strategies. Here is a sample puzzle where readers discover the strategy of “Scanning three boxes.” Find the digits that go in the cells with circles in Puzzle 18.
Puzzle 18.
In addition to the classic 9x9 Sudoku puzzles, there are variations. The two variations below are polyomino Sudoku puzzles. A polyomino Sudoku is a Sudoku puzzle in which each box is a polyomino region. In the 6x6 Hexomino Sudoku puzzle 69, each row, column, and hexomino region must contain each of the six digits, 1-6. In the 8x8 Octomino Sudoku puzzle 84, each row, column, and octomino region must contain each of the eight digits, 1-8.
Puzzle 69.
Puzzle 84.
