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 Sudokugrams
are puzzles that combine the logic of sudoku with the wordplay
of anagrams (unscrambling the letters in a word). When you
solve a sudoku puzzle, you place numbers in squares in such
a way that there are no repeating numbers in rows, columns,
or 3 x 3 sections. Sudokugrams have the same no-repeat
rule and fewer squares to fill in. However, you must also
be able to rearrange the letters in each row, column, and
2 x 2 section into words. To assure that Sudokugrams
is family-friendly, we avoid offensive words. We also avoid
obscure words. Here are some more comparisons between Sudokugrams
and traditional sudoku puzzles:
|
SUDOKUGRAMS |
SUDOKU |
Grid
size and number of squares |
4
x 4 (16 squares) |
9
x 9 (81 squares) |
Section
size |
2
x 2 |
3
x 3 |
Number
of rows |
4 |
9 |
Number
of columns |
4 |
9 |
Number
of sections |
4 |
9 |
Characters
used |
Letters |
Numbers |
Number
of givens |
Maximum
of 10 |
Maximum
of 30 |
Difficulty |
Varies |
Varies |
Solving
time |
5 - 15 minutes |
10+
minutes |
Skills
needed |
Logic
and wordplay |
Logic |
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For the purpose of this book, we took non-capitalized, non-abbreviated
words from several sources and deleted those we judged to
be too obscure or potentially offensive. Please click onto
the word list for
an alphabetized list of all words we considered acceptable
for Sudokugrams.
Sets of four letters often have more than one anagram. So,
for example, you may use either cape or pace
to anagram the letter group “acep.” However,
no two sets in a puzzle can contain the same four letters,
so if one row has acep, then no other row, column,
or 2 x 2 section can contain the same four letters.
All puzzles were tested by a computer program specially
written for Sudokugrams to assure unique solutions
(not counting different anagrams of the same set of letters)
within the scope of allowable words. However, if you use words
that go beyond our list, it is possible that other solutions
exist.
Here are some solving tips to help you get started:
1. Start with squares where only one available letter in
the letter pool can form a word in a row, column, or 2 x 2
section without repeating any letters.
2. Cross off letters from the letter pool as they are placed.
3. Look for squares where two possible remaining letters
can be placed. Write them lightly in pencil and see which
letter leads to a dead end. Then select the letter that works.
4. Often, working the row, column, and 2 x 2 section near
the less common letters, F-J-K-Q-V-W-X-Y-Z, leads to only
one way to use the letters in the letter pool.
5. Be alert for words that start with a vowel, or end in
a vowel other than e. Since most words start with
a consonant or end with a consonant or an e, the
brain does not process words like menu and onus
as easily as words like park or bone. So,
before rejecting a four-letter combination like inot,
looking at it more closely reveals that it can be anagrammed
as into.
Here’s a sample puzzle with a step-by-step walk-through
of the solving process:
Letter Pool: A, E, O, P, S, U, Y
The square on the first row, second column must contain E
since no other letter leads to a word in column 2 (JADE).
We now have:
Letter Pool: A, O, P, S, U, Y
The square on the fourth row, third column must contain S
since only A and S lead to a word in column 3 (FAIR or FIRS),
but A can’t be chosen because there’s another
A in the fourth row. We now have:
Letter Pool: A, O, P, U, Y
This leaves only A for the first row, fourth column (allowing
the word FATE in the first row), U for the second row, first
column (allowing JUTE in the upper left section), and O for
the third row, first column (allowing the IDOL in the third
row). We now have:
Letter Pool: P, Y
After placing the last letters, we have the solution:
Rows: FATE, JURY, IDOL, RASP (anagrams such as FEAT are okay)
Columns: TOUR, JADE, FIRS, PLAY (the anagram of ROUT is okay)
Boxes: JUTE, FRAY, ROAD, SLIP (anagrams such as LIPS are okay)
Ten sample Sudokugrams
puzzles
Sudokugrams word
list
Sudokugrams has a suggested retail price of $6.95
USD. On all orders, Stuillsonworks offers a discounted price
to school districts, schools, organizations (including churches
and their members), educators, students, and Mensa members.
Order Sudokugrams
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