Number Square Puzzle

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-02 15:24:19

This game is a little like Magic Squares, except the totals aren't all the same.

See if you can find the missing numbers. Suggestions and comments welcome.

Jai Ganesh · 2006-07-03 04:03:13

Rod,
Is that supposed to be a magic square of all squares????
Well, Ignoramus me couldn't make much out of it!!!

John E. Franklin · 2006-07-07 11:07:47

I love it!!!
I got the first game it gave me in 4:51 minute:seconds.
Neato idea, it's like sudoku but you have to guess a bit too! Love it!

Patrick · 2006-07-07 11:55:59

I completed it, but I think the answer is 'illegal' :] As it is now, you dont have to fill numbers in each rectangle.

Patrick · 2006-07-07 11:58:06

Just wanted to try again, to show I can make it without cheating

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-07 15:23:54

Well done! So I guess I will have to "tighten the rules"?

justlookingforthemoment · 2006-07-07 22:10:14

This is good, Rod!

When it says '1 to 9', did you mean use all of the numbers, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; or use any of the numbers in the range from 1 to 9 (and have doubled numbers)?

I chose the '1 to 9' category and was able to complete the grid, but using repeated numbers and numbers out of the range, and it still said 'Well Done' at the end. Is this a problem or not?

Patrick · 2006-07-07 22:11:56

A solution could be to introduce a check everytime all the sums are correct, looking for unfilled boxes. If there are any, do nothing, if not - well done!

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-07 22:51:40

To answer both of you:

The grid is generated using unique numbers (for "1 to 9" it *is* 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), but it seems unfair to deny someone a win if they can get the totals right. But I hadn't foreseen leaving a square blank though!

So, I think (tell me if you disagree) that so long as all the totals are right (the current check) AND all boxes have numbers in them, then you are granted a win.

I should probably also add a requirement that each number must be "in bounds" (for example between 1 and 9).

Yes?

(ALSO: anything I could do to make the gameplay more obvious? It looks pretty confusing.)

Patrick · 2006-07-07 23:08:44

I think your suggestions are good. I vote yes :] What do you mean by the gameplay not being obvious btw?

justlookingforthemoment · 2006-07-08 19:17:28

It's not too confusing. The only bit some people might have a bit of trouble understanding at first glance is use of the blue and red circles at the side of each line; and what the different categories mean. Other than that, I feel it's pretty much self explanatory.

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-08 22:03:46

Patrick wrote:

What do you mean by the gameplay not being obvious btw?

OK, it must obviously be obvious

Yeah, i tried different layouts of the red and blue, but I figured that seeing which total changes was the best clue.

I will tighten up the rules a little but not too much.

Thanks guys.

BTW if you think of a nice puzzle or game that you would like to see, let me know (if it ain't too difficult!)

Patrick · 2006-07-09 00:07:15

I was just wondering:
In a lot of your games/puzzles you have "advance-mode". Would it be possible to do a 4x4 or 5x5 aswell? I think it would make it a lot more difficult, but I might be wrong.

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-09 00:44:33

It certainly should be more difficult!

Patrick · 2006-07-09 01:29:59

How does it work btw? Does it make a 3x3 grid of numbers, calculate the sums and then only show the middle number?

MathsIsFun · 2006-07-09 11:35:45

You want me to give away *all* my secrets then? Yep.

Patrick · 2006-07-09 20:38:55

All your secret are belong to us!

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2006-07-02 15:24:19

Number Square Puzzle

#2 2006-07-03 04:03:13

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#3 2006-07-07 11:07:47

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#4 2006-07-07 11:55:59

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#5 2006-07-07 11:58:06

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#6 2006-07-07 15:23:54

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#7 2006-07-07 22:10:14

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#8 2006-07-07 22:11:56

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#9 2006-07-07 22:51:40

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#10 2006-07-07 23:08:44

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#11 2006-07-08 19:17:28

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#12 2006-07-08 22:03:46

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#13 2006-07-09 00:07:15

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#14 2006-07-09 00:44:33

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#15 2006-07-09 01:29:59

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#16 2006-07-09 11:35:45

Re: Number Square Puzzle

#17 2006-07-09 20:38:55

Re: Number Square Puzzle

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