There are many strategies one may use when trying to solve a Sudoku puzzle. Much of the standard problem-solving strategy can be found here, for example. There are some basic rules you need to know: there is no arithmetic; rows and columns do not add up to anything, for example. You can deduce the value of a given blank by looking at what that square cannot be first, and then use deductive reasoning until you have only one choice left. I like to write tiny numbers at the top of each blank square to let me know what possibilit6ies there are for that square, but I only write them down when I have a binary choice of possibilities; that is, a given digit can only appear in one of two possible places, and they must be in the same row, column or 3x3 grid. Otherwise, I leave that one for now.

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Of course, you can also use the "take a stab in the dark" method to solve a Sudoku, and just randomly put any number in the box wherever you want to, but the chances are you'll also erase a hole right through the page from having to change your answer so much. I like to solve the puzzle myself, not just guess at it. I prefer to write down the correct digit only once.

 

So on to the secret strategy I've developed....

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