BS: UK Guardian Futoshiki 23 June 2012

Subject: BS: UK Guardian Futoshiki 23 June 2012
From: DMcG
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 07:30 AM

Is it a major misprint, do you think, or have they found a new way to make it significantly harder?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guardian Futoshiki 23 June 2012
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 08:10 AM

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Subject: RE: BS: UK Guardian Futoshiki 23 June 2012
From: DMcG
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 09:16 AM

A futoshiki is a puzzle somewhat like sodoku, but with specific relationships between cells - some have to be greater than others. The Guardian version is normally based on a 5 x 5 grid, but on this occasion they have asked us to fit the 25 numbers in a 3 x 3 grid. I haven't decided whether this is just a mad misprint, or if the 3x3 is within a 5x5, but we also have to deduce the whereabouts in the grid.

For the mathematically inclined, you can't just transfer a column from the left-hand-side to the right hand, or the top to the botttom, because it might no presever the raltionships. So whether such a movement consititutes another valid solution depends on what relationships have been defined.

Clearer? I thought not :)

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guardian Futoshiki 23 June 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Jun 12 - 01:57 PM

As it's the dear old Grauniad, I should imagine it's a misprint!