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Numbrix™ On Sudoku

Numbrix(tm) On Sudoku

On July 13, 2008, Marilyn Vos Savant, in her column Ask Marilyn, (which is syndicated through Parade Magazine) introduced a number puzzle which helps focus the mind. It’s called NumbrixTM.

According to Michael Keller, of Solitaire Laboratory, who commented in the newsgroup rec.puzzles on July 22, 2008:

This puzzle dates back at least to 1981, when Steve Wilson (who I think invented it) published some puzzles in Games Magazine (July/August 1981, page 38). Steve’s puzzles are much harder and more interesting than Marilyn’s pathetic examples.

The puzzle in its present incarnation seems easy to those with much numerical puzzle experience, but can be challenging to those people with number anxiety and/or with interrupt-driven lives.

Although Marilyn’s puzzles are on 7×7 and 8×8 grids, there’s no reason why a 9×9 grid can’t be fully used. I restrained myself from making it harder by eliminating selected edge numbers, but that could be done by you, when copying the initial puzzle.

Stay on the path and be enlightened (or at least delighted), once you finish the puzzle.

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Square Root Sudoku

Square Root Sudoku: Disguise The Units Digits, Complete the Puzzle And Be Radical!

I received a wonderful (analog) watch from my niece. It was a Square Root Watch! As a math instructor this made me smile and be pleased with my niece for thinking of me.

The watch is really a low-tech encryption of time, especially for those whose instant reaction to any math-related symbol is anxiety. Look at: signals.com if you’d like to acquire a watch like this and also impress your friends. It’s has made everyone laugh who I have showed it to. Of course, the watch wearer may have been the source of amusement. 🙂 hah!

As a result, I adapted this concept to Sudoku puzzling. The result is the cartoon for today. Enjoy the puzzle but don’t be absurd.

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Musical Sudoku

Musical Sudoku

My wife pointed out that in no way are solving the puzzle and making a tune in a cause and effect relationship. In the interest of clarity, what I really mean is for you to solve the puzzle and then sing, whistle, hum, play, and/or listen to any tune of your choice, composed by you or anyone else. This way, all can take part.

As I look at these musical symbols, I am aware that these look perfectly natural to me, since I learned to read piano music at the age of 5. I’m sure there are those for whom these symbols are mostly strange.

Music notation and symbols have long term strategic importance for preserving musical compositions for future generations. It is a true encoding. Various media containing musical sounds: Cylinders of the early 20th century, 78 RPM phonograph records of the 1920s-1950s, 45 RPM records (1950s), 33.3 RPM long playing records (1950-1980s), Audio Tape (1960-1980s), and CDs (1980-now), MP3s (2000-now) may appear to be lasting, but just remember that all of them require a device to play the media. If the device is not available, the physical media become merely fashion statements and the electronic media become indecipherable. Musical notation on sheet music persists!

Enjoy your summer, now that it is finally here! Muse on the puzzle.