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Sandy Wood
Brain Game: Number Block #2
by Sandy Wood - November 20, 2009 - 7:30 AM

bloghead_braingames.jpg

Here’s the second entry in our Brain Game number block puzzle series. Enjoy!

Each of the nine squares inside the main red grid should contain either a 1, 2, or 3. Three of these numbers are already provided for you. Place a 1, 2, or 3 in each of the blank squares so that the sum of the rows, columns, and diagonals equal the totals shown at the ends of those lines (after the equals signs). Good luck:

NOTE: Super-sharp reader Mike was the first to find a second solution to this puzzle, so we’ve added it to the list. Nice job, Mike!

noblpz-02-q

Here are two SOLUTIONS.

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Comments (15)

  1. I think there is a second solution to this puzzle:

    1222
    3111
    3312
    2333

    SANDY’S NOTE: This solution does indeed work, Mike – I’ve added it to the puzzle. Thanks!

    posted by MikeTrig on 11-20-2009 at 8:16 am

  2. Mike – I got the same answer you did. Are we missing something? Or is this another solution? Everything seems to add up…

    posted by Aaron on 11-20-2009 at 9:04 am

  3. I agree with Mike Trig. I got the same solution and it seems to work out correctly.

    posted by Ian from Baltimore on 11-20-2009 at 9:05 am

  4. Same answer as the three above. Looks like it works to me.

    posted by David on 11-20-2009 at 9:15 am

  5. this solution also appears to work:

    1231
    2112
    3312
    3323

    or maybe it’s still to early for me

    posted by Lauren on 11-20-2009 at 9:33 am

  6. I got the same answer as Mike and Aaron.

    posted by heather on 11-20-2009 at 9:39 am

  7. @Lauren, doesn’t your second row have to end in 1? I mean, that is one of the three provided numbers.

    Other than that, it works. ;)

    posted by Lugh on 11-20-2009 at 9:45 am

  8. Mike does indeed seem to have found a second solution – nice job! I’ve edited the puzzle to add this to the mix.

    And Lugh is correct about Lauren – the numbers given in the puzzle do have to remain in their original positions.

    posted by Sandy Wood on 11-20-2009 at 10:05 am

  9. 1222
    2121
    3312
    3323

    this works as well.

    posted by erin on 11-20-2009 at 12:20 pm

  10. The instructions state 9 squares inside the red grid need to have 1, 2 or 3. I can only assume the other 7 squares can contain any other numbers including imaginary numbers.

    posted by Steven J on 11-20-2009 at 12:51 pm

  11. @Erin – I tried that one too, but the diagonal from lower left to upper right doesn’t add up to 8.

    posted by Betsy on 11-20-2009 at 1:24 pm

  12. I’ve been starting my chem class lectures with these to help get them thinking before I teach. They love them. Keep them coming.

    posted by Nick on 11-20-2009 at 1:48 pm

  13. Got Mike’s solution as well,and had Steven J’s question as well. Are you confusing Soduko square with Magic Squares?

    posted by Hawaiian on 11-20-2009 at 2:34 pm

  14. I count 16 squares (4 x 4)not 9, or did I miss something?

    posted by Curt on 11-20-2009 at 4:56 pm

  15. I found another:

    1321
    3111
    2313
    3233

    I guess it’s a variation on the original solution.

    posted by Rachel on 11-24-2009 at 2:24 pm

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