Q&A for How to Solve a Sudoku

Yes, unless the puzzle was printed with an error, which is unlikely.

The numbers in the 9 squares cannot be "correct," as you say, unless the rows and columns are also correct. You can have all 9 squares with all 9 numbers, but that does not guarantee that the rows and columns will be correct.

Once you get the hang of it, it will become pretty easy and fun.

No, you cannot. There are no numbers in it, so there's nothing to solve. You can, however, enter a few numbers and create a puzzle for someone else to solve.

You can search for sudoku using google, and you'll find some that you can download or play online.

Sometimes the trial and error method is necessary. If you've gone through all the tricks in the article and you're left with unsolved spaces, all of which have two or more numbers penciled in, then you'll need to guess. Choose a space with two numbers penciled in, circle one of them, and use that guess as a basis to move the solution forward.

You could use the pencil technique by writing all the numbers from 1-9 on each square, then erase the numbers that are already there.

There are a lot, which you could probably tell from above. Simpler ones include 9x9s, 6x6s, blackouts, and letter 7x7s.

You just have to keep going. There will be some small clue that you have either overlooked or that you haven't yet worked out.

It depends. Some people find tricks, while others do not.

No. Because sudoku is a math-based puzzle, there's a specific order and way that every number needs to be written in order to complete the puzzle. If that seems too hard, it's not! Start with easy sudoku puzzles to develop your familiarity with the puzzle, and work your way up from there!

Work on other cells first that have more numbers, then go back to that particular cell.

Whichever seems easier for you. Since the line and column entries are also in the blocks, some blocks will become solvable before the lines or columns will be, while some lines or columns may be solvable before a block is. Each entry depends on the other entries in each line, column and block.

The best strategy for Sudoku is to start by solving the easy parts first. Look for a single empty square in a larger square, check for singular empty squares in the rows and columns, and scan the rows and columns to fill in larger squares.

Yes, all proper and well-formed Sudoku puzzles can and should be solved without guessing!

Not necessarily. Sudoku does involve numbers, but it doesn't actually involve any math at all, so it may not improve your math skills.

You really shouldn't, pairs, trios, quins and quads are essential to solving a sudoku, in fact many "hard" sudokus can be solved with these alone! Make sure not to mix up your buried and broken sets.

In some cases, a sudoku puzzle can have two solutions, so it is definitely possible. It's just more common for them to have one answer.