Kakuro is a number puzzle that is gaining popularity recently, and in some parts of the world it is more popular than Sudoku. Let’s take a look at this phenomenon, see why people like it so much, and how you can use it in the classroom.
First of all, let’s compare it with its fellow puzzle, Sudoku. People playing Sudoku use logic only to place digits according to the game’s three rules. The game can actually be played without numbers; any set of different symbols would work as well.
Kakuro, on the other hand, requires using the digits from 1 through 9 in order to play the game. The rules of Kakuro are as simple as Sudoku’s, but there is a mathematical side to the game because the numbers involved must have a certain sum. It is this focus on the sum of the numbers that gives Kakuro its appeal for mathematics teachers.
It’s possible to design a Kakuro puzzle that is easy enough for young children to do, but the structure of the game allows puzzles to be created of any difficulty level. Number sense is one of the things we want our students to possess, and the design of Kakuro promotes the development of this.
Let’s gain some simple skills that will help us solve Kakuro puzzles. Find ways to write these sums using the following rules:
1. Each sum must have a different combination of numbers.
2. You may not repeat the same number in a combination.
3. Use only the digits from 1 through 9.
Combinations using two numbers:
3 = __ + __
4 = __ + __
5 = __ + __ = __ + __
6 = __ + __ = __ + __
7 = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __
8 = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __
9 = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __
10 = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __ = __ + __
Combinations using two numbers:
6 = __ + __ + __
7 = __ + __ + __
8 = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __
9 = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __
10 = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __ = __ + __ + __
Here are some websites teachers can use; they give a nice introduction to the game for beginners.
This site has a video tutorial:
http://www.yourkakuro.com/howtoplaykakuro.php
This site has a flash tutorial:
http://www.nikoli.co.jp/en/puzzles/kakuro/
Related Posts:
Sudoku – A Size for Every Body and Every Mind
For Puzzle Enthusiasts: Do It Yourself Sudoku Solver – a Great Visual Showing Progress Toward the Solution
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