KenKen – Introduction and Strategy Tips to Solve a 4×4 Puzzle

Here’s a video that introduces the 4×4 KenKen, including tips and strategies. It can be played in HD (720p) for use in classrooms with projectors.

KenKen is a logic and mathematical puzzle which is similar to Sudoku. As a math teacher, I use KenKen to teach and reinforce logical, deductive reasoning and to help with number concepts such as prime factorization.

The easiest way to introduce KenKen puzzles to students are through 4×4 grids. Here I show the 4×4 puzzle in this video so students can see the structure of KenKen and gain some familiarity with strategy. The goal is to fill the grid in with the digits 1 through 4 such that:

* Each row contains exactly one of each digit
* Each column contains exactly one of each digit
* The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares, called cages, must combine (in any order) to produce the target number in the top corner using the mathematical operation indicated.

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Related posts:

1. Reverse the Math Puzzle Using 2, 3, and 4
2. Video – Reverse the Math Puzzle, Part 2: Using 1, 3, and 5
3. Video – Sum Equals Product Puzzle – Part 1
4. Line by Line – A Mathematical Puzzle Poem Made of Numbers
5. KenKen Player – Now at Home on mrlsmath