Sudoku
Number Place
How to Play
History
Math Concepts
When one hears that no math is required to solve Sudoku, what is really meant is that no arithmetic is required. The puzzle does not depend on the fact that the nine placeholders used are the digits from 1 to 9. Any nine symbols would serve just as well to create and solve the puzzles. In fact, mathematical thinking in the form of logical deduction is very useful in solving Sudokus.
You often need more complicated analysis methods to make progress, and sometimes you need to make a guess and proceed, backtracking if the guess results in a conflict.
Looking for patterns and using logic is necessary to solve these puzzles.
Levels / Grades
There is something to learn in all grade levels - mostly 2-8
Pros/Cons
Students can use their conceptual knowledge of numbers and the game to find patterns and relationships of how the numbers work together as well as how the procedures and rules with the puzzles restrict certain aspects of the game. With different variations of the puzzle you can help students use the procedures to discover patterns with math, letters, and even algebra.
The cons to this game are that some puzzles are very difficult. It also may be to advanced for some students in the classroom to do, or could take a long time to figure out the entire puzzle, especially if there was a mistake made.