The Mathematics Behind Sudoku

🔢Sudoku is a type of magic square where the sum of numbers in every row, column, and diagonal is the same.

🧩The first Sudoku puzzle was printed in a UK newspaper in 2004, but the game originated in America in the 1970s.

🐢Legend has it that the first magic square was carved on the back of a sacred turtle in ancient China.

📚Varahamihira's book from ancient India introduced a non-classical magic square used for creating perfume recipes.

🔢🧩Sudoku grids are semi-magic squares, which have the same sum for rows and columns but not diagonals.

When was the first Sudoku puzzle printed?

—The first Sudoku puzzle was printed in a UK newspaper in November 2004.

Where did Sudoku originate?

—Sudoku originated in America in the 1970s, although it gained popularity in Japan before reaching the UK.

What is the history of magic squares?

—Magic squares have been used for centuries and were believed to have mystical properties. The oldest known magic square is the Lo Shu Square from ancient China.

Are all Sudoku grids magic squares?

—No, Sudoku grids are semi-magic squares, which means they have the same sum for rows and columns but not necessarily for diagonals.

What is a classical magic square?

—A classical magic square contains the numbers 1 to n and has the same sum for rows, columns, and diagonals.

00:00Introduction to the mathematics behind Sudoku puzzles.

02:35Explanation of the rules and structure of Sudoku grids.

06:10Overview of different techniques for solving Sudoku puzzles.

08:40Discussion of the history of magic squares and their connection to Sudoku.

11:47Explanation of semi-magic squares and their relation to Sudoku grids.