Why Are You So Puzzled? (5a)

Consider this a continuation of yesterday's post since it is going to be about a puzzle too. Let's have a look at another one of those number puzzles I mentioned earlier. The last attempt at an explanation wasn't really very good so, here goes again!





Here's a sample puzzle with four given numbers and all the totals of rows, columns and diagonals. We want to find a row or column which can only accommodate two ones or two nines. Look at the second column. A total of 6 must be added in 3 digits. These digits could be 4,1 and 1. Place the 4 above the 7 and the ones in the last two spaces of the column.

Now check out the second row from the top. It contains two fours, leaving 26 - 8 or 18 tto fill into 2 spaces. Two nines are the only possibility. We see that the placement of the 9's and ones confirms the four placed in the second column. If that 4 were a five, one of the ones would have to be zero but that's impossible. If the four were a three one of the nines must go up to ten, also impossible.



Search for other similar situations with the remaining numbers and blanks. 

The third column needs a total of 6 to complete so try a five and a one with the five in the top row. Now a nine is needed in the top 

The rest fills in easily


VOILA!