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Sudoku Facts & Worksheets

Sudoku, also known as Su Doku, is a popular number game. In its simplest and most common configuration, sudoku consists of a 9×9 grid with numbers appearing in some of the squares.

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Sudoku, also known as Su Doku, is a popular number game. In its simplest and most common configuration, sudoku consists of a 9×9 grid with numbers appearing in some of the squares.

See the fact file below for more information on the Sudoku or alternatively, you can download our 31-page Sudoku worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF SUDOKU

  • The term “sudoku” or more correctly, 数独, originated from Japan. It consists of the Japanese characters, Su (meaning ‘number’) and Doku (meaning ‘single’).
  • However, the puzzle did not originate in Japan. It originated in Switzerland in 1707 from Swiss Mathematician, Leonhard Euler. It then traveled to Japan by way of America.
  • In 1979, a New York-based puzzle magazine, Dell Magazines, called it Number Place puzzles. It was named sudoku when it reached Japan through the Monthly Nikolist in 1984.
  • The Japanese added another rule that the pattern of revealed squares had to be symmetrical and that at least 32 of the 81 initial squares in regular sudoku should be revealed to give a fairly tough level of difficulty.
  • In 1997, Wayne Gould, a retired judge from Hong Kong, took a liking to the sudoku puzzles in Tokyo and decided to develop computer programs to generate them.
  • Later, he sent some of his puzzles to The Times in London. It printed the first puzzle on November 15, 2004, and received positive response.
  • Soon, the rest of the newspaper companies followed suit.
  • The British TV network, Channel 4, included a daily sudoku game in their teletext service in July 2005. On August 2, the BBC’s Radio Times featured a weekly Super Sudoku with a 16×16 grid.
  • Its popularity in England led to a Sudoku 4×4 and 6×6 puzzles game show for four seasons from 2005 to 2007.

SUDOKU STRATEGY

  • The object of the puzzle is to fill the remaining squares using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3×3 subgrids. In the simplest case, you have a group that has eight squares allocated, leaving only one remaining choice available. Thus, the remaining number must go in that empty square.
  • As sudoku puzzle levels get harder, simple scanning methods gets more sophisticated and solving techniques must be used. Hard puzzles require smart combination analysis done with the aid of pencil marks.

VARIATION

  • Word Sudoku – uses alphabetical letters instead of numbers to uncover hidden words on the grid.
  • Picture Sudoku – makes use of abstract symbols and picture snippets.
  • Samurai Sudoku – incorporates 5 grids that overlap to form an X shape. All 5 of the grids must be filled to finish the puzzle.
  • Logic 5 – uses 5×5 grids but is played like regular sudoku.
  • Jigsaw Sudoku – also called “Squiggly Sudoku”, the lines are different instead of being perfect.
  • Mini Sudoku – the grid used for this game is 6×6 with regions of 3×2. Only numbers 1 through 6 are used.

Sudoku Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Sudoku across 31 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Sudoku worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Sudoku, also known as Su Doku, which is a popular number game. In its simplest and most common configuration, sudoku consists of a 9×9 grid with numbers appearing in some of the squares.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Sudoku Facts
  • Sudo-Easy!
  • Sudo-Shape
  • Color Sudoku
  • 5-6-7 JigSudo
  • 6×6 Sudoku
  • 6×6 Word Sudoku
  • 9×9 Sudoku
  • 12×12 Sudoku
  • Newspaper Sudoku
  • Picture Sudoku
  • Extra Challenge

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Link will appear as Sudoku Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 21, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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