Description
Book SynopsisSudoku is a logic puzzle that has become a worldwide phenomenon in the last few years: but where has it come from? How does it work? And what is the science behind sudoku – what are the rules for generating and solving grids?
Answers to all of these questions can be found in the A-Z of Sudoku. As its title suggests, this book provides a “one stop shop” on sudoku, covering the history of the puzzle, its development and growth in the world’s media, before moving on to the mathematics of sudoku and various techniques that can be used to solve grids by hand.
Next, the essentials of software development relating to sudoku are presented along with the recent branch of computer science devoted to solving such problems: constraint programming, showing how the principle behind solving sudoku grids can be used in other contexts. Finally, the book concludes with a large number of grids ranging in difficulty from “very easy” to “expert” which the reader can use to apply the techniques they have acquired from the book in a practical context.
Those interested in finding out more about the theory behind sudoku, its origins, it applications in other fields and (of course) how to improve their ability to solve it will find this book a must-read.
Trade Review"Those interested in finding out more about the theory behind Sudoku, its origins, its applications in other fields and (of course) how to improve their ability to solve its puzzles will find this book a must-read." (Mathematical Reviews, 2011)
Table of ContentsPreface.
Chapter 1. A (Mathematical) History of Sudoku.
Part 1: Solving Rules and Techniques.
Chapter 2. Basic Techniques.
Chapter 3. Advanced Techniques.
Chapter 4. "Expert" Techniques.
Part 2: Computer Software Development for Sudoku.
Chapter 5. Solving Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 6. Evaluation and Generation of Grids.
Part 3: Training.
Chapter 7. Very Easy Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 8. Easy Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 9. Medium Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 10. Difficult Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 11. Very Difficult Sudoku Grids.
Chapter 12. Expert Sudoku Grids.
Appendices: A. Corrections; B. Solutions.
Bibliography.
Index.
