Math Mania puzzles fashioned after Sudoku

The November Math Mania puzzles are fashioned after the numbers game Sudoku that has been sweeping the country.

There are just three nine-box puzzles and you use the numbers 1 through 9. The idea is to use each of those numbers only once in each column, row and mini-box.

As you know, Ms. Math Mania is Ms. Amy Ruzicka, a math teacher at St. Gabriel's School in South St. Louis.

She likes to try different types of math puzzles for your enjoyment.

In October's "mysterious box" puzzles, she apparently found some that were too tough for you. The number of entries dropped sharply from the September entries and there were no winners.

This month's Sudoku puzzles involve lining up numbers. But the number combinations aren't quite so complex. Besides, many of you already have done Sudoku puzzles in newspapers or puzzle books.

But, it would be good to take Ms. Math Mania's advice to practice a little before you try to fill out the entry blank below.

The rules for entering Math Mania remain the same. Each month, YSL.com publishes a number of math brainteasers. We also publish an entry form that can be printed out and the answers filled in.

If you answer all the math puzzles correctly, you'll have a chance to win a Borders book certificate. Depending on the number of correct entries, YSL.com will give from three to four $10 certificates.

To enter the November contest, fill out the attached entry form and give answers to the three Sudoku puzzles. Be sure to follow the instructions when completing the entry form.

In the December edition of YSL.com, we'll publish the answers to these November puzzles and name any winners

1. Print out the following entry form.
2. Fill out your name, address and telephone number.
3. Answer the three November puzzles.
4. Put your completed entry into a stamped, addressed envelope.
5. Be sure to print the entry form so we can be sure of the spelling.
6. Mail the entry to:

Sudoku is a puzzle in a grid. Every grid is made up of rows, columns, and boxes of squares.

 

Every row, every column, and every box needs to be filled with nine different numbers, and each number can only appear once in every row, column, and box, like this:

A finished puzzle looks like this:

Notice how the numbers 1-9 appear only once in each row, each column, and each box. Once you finish this month's challenges, don't forget to check your solutions to make sure that this holds true.

If you are new to Sudoku puzzles, it is best to practice some smaller and simpler puzzles to get a feel for how to do them. You can ask a friend, family member, or teacher for tips and tricks on solving them. There are also many books and websites available for you to practice these fun and addicting puzzles.

If you like Sudoku, look on the web or in your local bookstore for Kakuro and Spidoku puzzles. You'll quickly be hooked on these Sudoku variations!

November's Sudoku Puzzles

Fill in the missing numbers so that the numbers 1-9 appear only once in each row, each column, and each box. Good luck!

1.

2.

3.