Futoshiki Puzzles

About Futoshiki Puzzles

Futoshiki (also known as "More or Less") is a logic-based puzzle that originated in Japan. It involves filling a grid with numbers while respecting both numerical constraints and inequality symbols between cells. The name "Futoshiki" means "unequal" in Japanese, reflecting the puzzle's focus on inequality constraints.

Rules / How to Play

• Grid Size: The puzzle is played on a square grid, typically ranging from 4x4 to 9x9 in size.
• Numbers: Each row and column must contain each number from 1 to the size of the grid exactly once (similar to Sudoku).
• No Repetition: No number can repeat within a row or column.
• Inequality Signs: Some cells are linked by symbols like ">" (greater than) or "<" (less than), showing how their numbers compare. When you fill in the numbers, you must follow these rules. For example, if one cell is marked as greater than another, its number must be bigger.
• Starting Clues: Some cells may already contain numbers as starting clues to help you solve the puzzle.

Solving Tips and Techniques:

Here are some techniques to help you solve Futoshiki puzzles.

• Start with Inequalities: Pay attention to spots with inequalities. For example, if one box has "4 > ?", it means the "?" must be a number smaller than 4. This helps narrow down the possible answers right away.
• Constraints: Make sure each number shows up only once in every row and column. Check the inequality signs to rule out numbers that don't fit.
• Fill the Certainties: If only one number is possible for a cell based on the rules, fill it in.

By trying these tips and tricks, you can get better at solving Futoshiki puzzles and have more fun finishing tricky ones.