How to Do a Sudoku Puzzle
Sudoku puzzles have become increasingly popular in the United States, with books of them paired up with crossword books at many bookstores. While puzzles can vary greatly in size and difficulty, there are some basics when working a sudoku puzzle.
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Instructions
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Learn the rules. Each standard sudoku grid contains nine squares, each consisting of nine spaces; each square must contain the numbers 1 through 9, with no repeats. In addition, every horizontal row and vertical column must contain the numbers 1 through 9, with no numbers repeated.
Each puzzle will start with some numbers filled in. This will help you figure out where the rest of the numbers go.
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Use the process of elimination in each square.
Starting with the number 1 and working up to 9, use the numbers that already are filled in to see if you can eliminate possible spots in each square until there is only one place the number can appear. For example, in the top left-hand square, see if you can eliminate possible places where the number 1 can appear except for a single space, which means that the number 1 must appear in that space. Look across each row and down each column. If a number 1 appears in that row or column, it cannot appear in that row or column in the square you are working on. Do this for each number and each square.
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Use the process of elimination in each row.
Start either horizontally or vertically and see if you can eliminate places in each row for each number. For example, in the first horizontal row you need to fill in the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats; so look in each vertical column to see if the number you are working on is in that space. If it is, you can eliminate the possibility that it could go in that spot. So if you are working on the number 1, look down each vertical column for the number one. If you can eliminate it from all but a single spot, you can put the number 1 in that spot. Do this for each number and each row, both horizontally and vertically.
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Continue to repeat the process of eliminating possibilities. You will find that you are filling in more numbers, eliminating more possibilities each time until eventually you have completed the puzzle.
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Tips & Warnings
When there is only one space left in a square or row, stop and fill in the number even if you are working on a different number at the time.
Don't use a pen. When you are learning, you will probably make a lot of mistakes.
References
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