[NA] If you Sudoku, can you KenKen?

[TangoWhiskey]

For you math puzzle lovers, a variation on Sudoku. NY Times will carry a new one each day, online and in the paper.

Yesterday's puzzle:
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/02/08/arts/20090209_KEN_GRAPHIC.html

More info:
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/kenken.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/arts/09ken.html?em

Here's a video tutorial of how it works:

 

[TangoWhiskey]

That's pretty cool... I just solved the puzzles for Feb 8. Fun stuff.

 

[AuntPeggy]

The first time I encountered KenKen, there was no pen or pencil around. Found I can only do a 4x4 in my head.

 

[KennyFlys]

That's pretty neat. The funny part is, the seemingly simple stuff like that are the things that I'm less patient with.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

That's pretty neat. The funny part is, the seemingly simple stuff like that are the things that I'm less patient with.

Ken can KenKen! (lame)

 

[KennyFlys]

Ken can KenKen! (lame)

Admission is the beginning of recovery.

 

[tonycondon]

great. thanks troy, now ive gotten NOTHING done so far today...

 

[gismo]

great. thanks troy, now ive gotten NOTHING done so far today...

Well I did manage a little bit of work today before that came along.

BTW I'm still piecing the rules together. It looks like the Sudoku rule of no repeats in a column or row applies and the only allowable digits are 1-n where n is the # of squares on one side. The only other rule I've found is the main one that says the numbers inside a "cage" (bold outline) must equal the number in the cage using the operator next to the number.

The first two examples were rather easy, now I'm looking for harder stuff.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Well I did manage a little bit of work today before that came along.

BTW I'm still piecing the rules together. It looks like the Sudoku rule of no repeats in a column or row applies and the only allowable digits are 1-n where n is the # of squares on one side. The only other rule I've found is the main one that says the numbers inside a "cage" (bold outline) must equal the number in the cage using the operator next to the number.

The first two examples were rather easy, now I'm looking for harder stuff.

Exactly. So in the 6x6 puzzle I posted (for those still trying to figure this out), the 11+ three-square cell at the bottom right has to be contain three numbers that add (+) up to 11. Since 1 to n are the digits you use (with n being the grid width/height), as stated above, could use 5+3+3 or 4+3+4 or 6+2+3 or 6+4+1 (others?) to accomplish a sum of 11. As you work the puzzle and get some answers in other cells, it becomes apparent that "5/3/3" are the three digits you'll use in that cell... now, in what order? ;-)

The cell just above that one says you need to get a 3, using division and two numbers. That leaves you with 6 divided by 2, or 3 divided by 1 as possible pairs of numbers to use in that cell.

Like Sudoku, no repeats in the rows or columns.