Latest news with #Kakuro
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Can you solve it? Are you a matcha for these tasty Japanese puzzles?
Japan is a world puzzle superpower. Its grid logic puzzles – like Sudoku, Kakuro, KenKen and many more – are played across the world by millions every day. The country also has its own culture of mathematical puzzles, nurtured by the Academy of Recreational Mathematics, Japan, which was founded in 1979. Today's problems are by Yoshiyuki Kotani, a founder member of the Academy and a professor of engineering at Tokyo University. They are taken from his new book, Tasty Japanese Morsels in Recreational Mathematics. 1. Squid game Two octopuses will face off in a boxing match. Each octopus requires eight gloves. (There is no distinction between left and right gloves.) The rules of octopus boxing stipulate that an octopus must only wear gloves of the same colour. There is a bag containing 16 red gloves and 16 green gloves. Find the minimum number of gloves that must be drawn at random from the bag to guarantee that the colours of the gloves of the two octopuses are (a) the same. (b) different. (c) either the same or different. 2. Sum-o wrestling. The diagram below represents a multiplication in which all but two of the digits have been replaced by stars. Reconstruct the computation. 3. Another boxing puzzle A restaurant uses 4 × 4 and 5 × 5 Bento boxes each divided into exactly eight square sections, as shown in the diagram below The chef has asked you to create Bento boxes with rectangular boxes. Each Bento must still have eight square sections, even though, as in the example, the square sections do not have to be all of the same size. Design a 4 × 6 Bento box, a 3 × 9 Bento box, and a 5 × 6 Bento box. I'll be back at 5pm UK. PLEASE NO SPOILERS. Please discuss your favourite Japanese things. Tasty Japanese Morsels in Recreational Mathematics by Yoshiyuki Kotani s published by the American Mathematical Association. All the diagrams above are taken from the book. I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me. PS: Might anyone with computer skills be able to help me create a web page for a puzzle that involves dragging shapes around the screen? I hope to use the puzzle in a future column. If you think you can help, email me.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Can you solve it? Are you a matcha for these tasty Japanese puzzles?
Japan is a world puzzle superpower. Its grid logic puzzles – like Sudoku, Kakuro, KenKen and many more – are played across the world by millions every day. The country also has its own culture of mathematical puzzles, nurtured by the Academy of Recreational Mathematics, Japan, which was founded in 1979. Today's problems are by Yoshiyuki Kotani, a founder member of the Academy and a professor of engineering at Tokyo University. They are taken from his new book, Tasty Japanese Morsels in Recreational Mathematics. 1. Squid game Two octopuses will face off in a boxing match. Each octopus requires eight gloves. (There is no distinction between left and right gloves.) The rules of octopus boxing stipulate that an octopus must only wear gloves of the same colour. There is a bag containing 16 red gloves and 16 green gloves. Find the minimum number of gloves that must be drawn at random from the bag to guarantee that the colours of the gloves of the two octopuses are (a) the same. (b) different. (c) either the same or different. 2. Sum-o wrestling. The diagram below represents a multiplication in which all but two of the digits have been replaced by stars. Reconstruct the computation. 3. Another boxing puzzle A restaurant uses 4 × 4 and 5 × 5 Bento boxes each divided into exactly eight square sections, as shown in the diagram below The chef has asked you to create Bento boxes with rectangular boxes. Each Bento must still have eight square sections, even though, as in the example, the square sections do not have to be all of the same size. Design a 4 × 6 Bento box, a 3 × 9 Bento box, and a 5 × 6 Bento box. I'll be back at 5pm UK. PLEASE NO SPOILERS. Please discuss your favourite Japanese things. Tasty Japanese Morsels in Recreational Mathematics by Yoshiyuki Kotani s published by the American Mathematical Association. All the diagrams above are taken from the book. I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me. PS: Might anyone with computer skills be able to help me create a web page for a puzzle that involves dragging shapes around the screen? I hope to use the puzzle in a future column. If you think you can help, email me.
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Online Puzzle Tournaments You Can Join
The world of puzzles has transformed from simple books and board games into a digital experience that connects people from around the globe. Today, online puzzle tournaments offer a platform for enthusiasts to showcase their skills, compete against others, and enjoy the thrill of brain challenging contests in real time. Whether you are a beginner who enjoys word puzzles or an advanced solver who excels at logic problems and number grids, there is a tournament out there for you. These competitions are not just fun they also enhance memory, improve focus, and foster strategic thinking. Let us explore the world of online puzzle tournaments and how you can be a part of them. Participating in an online puzzle competition is more than just about winning. Here are a few reasons why many puzzle fans choose to join: Mental stimulation : Puzzles help keep the mind active and sharp. : Puzzles help keep the mind active and sharp. Friendly competition : Compete with others and track your progress. : Compete with others and track your progress. Skill building : Improve your reasoning, logic, and problem-solving skills. : Improve your reasoning, logic, and problem-solving skills. Community : Meet other puzzle lovers from around the world. : Meet other puzzle lovers from around the world. Recognition: Gain rankings, earn points, and even win prizes. Some tournaments also offer timed challenges, leaderboards, and difficulty levels to suit all kinds of players from curious learners to serious solvers. There are many formats available depending on the kind of puzzles you enjoy. Here are the most common categories found in online tournaments: These tournaments feature games like crosswords, word searches, anagrams, and vocabulary challenges. Players may need to complete as many puzzles as they can within a limited time. Example puzzles include: Fill in the blanks Word ladders Cryptic clues Vocabulary quizzes Great for language lovers, these events often reward both speed and accuracy. Sudoku remains one of the most popular logic based puzzles around the world. Online tournaments often feature variations of Sudoku, such as Killer Sudoku, Diagonal Sudoku, and Jigsaw Sudoku. Other number games like Kakuro, KenKen, and Number Cross are also included in many number based competitions. These contests are ideal for players who enjoy patterns, logic, and math based thinking. Logic puzzles test deductive reasoning and problem-solving under pressure. You may be asked to solve riddles, visual sequences, or story-based deduction puzzles. Many tournaments present daily or weekly logic grids, mazes, matchstick puzzles, and lateral thinking problems. These events attract solvers who love a challenge that requires careful thought and patience. Visual puzzles include picture patterns, spot-the-difference games, and spatial reasoning tasks. These contests test your observation skills, attention to detail, and speed. They are usually timed and great for children, beginners, and visual thinkers. Joining an online puzzle tournament is often simple and free. Here's a step by step guide to get started: Select a website or app that hosts regular puzzle tournaments. Many platforms offer daily and weekly competitions that are easy to join. Most sites require you to create a profile where your scores, achievements, and rankings are tracked. Browse upcoming tournaments and check their categories, difficulty level, duration, and format. Some are casual while others may be competitive and ranked. Most platforms offer practice puzzles. Try these to get used to the style and format of the contest. Once the tournament starts, log in and begin solving puzzles within the time limit. Results are often posted immediately or after all participants have completed the round. Practice regularly: The more puzzles you solve, the faster and better you become. Time management: Don't get stuck on one puzzle. Move on and come back if needed. Read instructions carefully: Some puzzles have unique rules. Stay focused: Avoid distractions during the contest to improve performance. Use a stable internet connection: This prevents delays or disconnections. Many top players say the key to success is a balance between speed and careful thinking. Yes, some tournaments do offer prizes like gift cards, merchandise, and even cash. Others offer certificates, badges, and global rankings. While many contests are free, premium events may require a small entry fee for access to higher-tier challenges and rewards. Whether you are in it for the prize or just the fun of solving, there is value in every competition you join. Many platforms also host family-friendly events and Riddles tournaments for children. These contests are designed to be fun, educational, and interactive. They promote critical thinking, vocabulary growth, and early math skills in a way that feels like play. Families can join as teams, making it a perfect weekend activity for parents and kids. Online puzzle tournaments offer a perfect mix of fun, challenge, and learning. Whether you enjoy wordplay, numbers, logic, or pictures, there is a competition for you. These events are inclusive, engaging, and a great way to sharpen your skills while connecting with a global puzzle loving community. So why wait? Pick your favorite puzzle type, sign up for a tournament, and put your brain to the test. You might just discover a hidden talent or even win a prize. But most importantly, you will enjoy every moment of thinking your way to victory. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
