Reduction of possibilities

Advanced methods and approaches for solving Sudoku puzzles

Reduction of possibilities

Postby geocant » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:02 pm

In a partially completed puzzle, I was faced with a row of 5 remaining possibilities: 1237, 1237, 237, 1239 and 179. Looking to find a matched pair in this, I reduced to 1237, 1237, 237, 19 and 19. This ultimately led to a correct solution.

Was this logic or guesswork, and if the latter, what were the mathematical possibilities of error?

Any help would be appreciated.
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Postby Mike Barker » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:32 pm

Retracted
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Postby Myth Jellies » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:02 am

It was a lucky guess (there is no hidden pair there). The nines had to be right, but at first glance, you had 4 valid potential cells for a one and you erroneously reduced that to 2 cells, thus you had a 50/50 chance of being correct.
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Re: Reduction of possibilities

Postby vidarino » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:15 am

geocant wrote:Was this logic or guesswork


If you have to ask, it's probably guesswork.:)

Vidar
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