4 Easy Ways to Solve Puzzles Using Simple Tricks

The easiest way to get through problems is by a pencil. As you solve problems, you will find it increasingly effortless when you start filling in the spaces with whatever you come up with. Sometimes trying out your first thoughts can inspire you to find the perfect solution. If you are dealing with a crossword puzzle, you can fill in your answer and gauge whether it fits perfectly. If it is a mathematical puzzle, like Sudoku, you can fill in some numbers to see how it pans out. Using a pencil makes it very easy to write and erase answers.

Filling the missing grid

Puzzle-solving is all about inserting the missing parts, so it is only logical to start by filling in the grid. Take Sudoku; for instance, the puzzle comes with a few printed numbers that give you the foundation on how to fill the remaining boxes. To complete the rest, you must eliminate other possible digits. As you have probably noticed, remembering all the numbers you reject is a tough task. The best way is to fill in the grid with all the possible answers. This way, you can slowly start removing the wrong ones. This technique simplifies the process for you and prevents you from overthinking.

Elimination trick

Image

Elimination is the most convenient trick to use when solving mathematical puzzles. It also works with non-mathematical problems. Let’s say you are looking for the crossword answers 911 answers, in this case, and you need to come up with a few words (synonyms) that can fit into the available boxes. You can write down the words and then eliminate those that do not provide well with the other questions. The same goes for mathematical puzzles. Going by the Sudoku example, once you fill in the missing grid, the next step is to eliminate the printed digits from every network you added. Start by removing across, down, and around the quadrant. Elimination ensures you have fewer numbers to work with. In some cases, when removal is through, you only have one number left within the block, making it the answer for that block.

Break the puzzle to smaller pieces

If the mystery seems too complex to even attempt, do not give up and wait for the answers. The trick usually lies in breaking down the puzzle to smaller sections that are easier to work on. This is particularly convenient when solving Kakuro where you need to divide and conquer. You can focus on different parts of the puzzle at a time. Make sure you examine and exhaust all possible answers in that section before moving to the next. Even if you only get one number, it is a step closer to completing the puzzle. You can choose to work on the entire section or focus on one digit across the puzzle then pick another number. Once you finish working on all parts, if there are still blanks in the problem, start from the beginning. This will help you determine how the new numbers you add shape the puzzle. The more blank spaces you fill in, the easier it becomes to find missing digits.

Use marks and highlights

Image

If you have played Sudoku online, you will realize they offer a tool that highlights a specific number. This tool comes in handy when you lose track or make a mistake. Marks and highlights make the process much easier when you lose track of your puzzle. They are also ideal if you have to leave and come back layer. You can use dull stokes or circles to highlight answers or blocks that are complete. Once you are through with the puzzle, erase the marks, and replace them with the right solution for the box. 

Conclusion

Puzzles are a great way to exercise your mind and overcome boredom. Because they are quite challenging, they carry a high potential of cheering you up when you finally get all the answers right. The benefits of puzzles are not strange to anyone who has ever successfully solved one. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the puzzle’s rules before you start solving it. Also, the more problems you attempt, the better you become at solving them. The tricks mentioned above are more like strategies and techniques you can implement when solving mathematical puzzles like Kakuro and Sudoku.