Test your problem solving skills!

Soldato
Joined
13 Nov 2002
Posts
3,589
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Each letter in the range A through J has a distinct value in the range 1 through 9, inclusive.

The horizontal and vertical totals are shown. Solve for all values.


EDIT: Well done.

Correct, FULL, solutions received from:
kaiowas, Shmo, Greebo, Anominity, Nazca, mp3duck, Angilion, Aero, wilko49, Cat_In_Pyjamas, div0

Correct, brute forced, solutions received from:
Garee, 23JMZ07

EDIT: SPOILER ALERT! If you don't want to see the solution, avert your gaze now!

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1st column, d+d+f+j = 8. If d=3 then 3+3+2+1 = 9. Therefore d < 3

1st row and 3rd column, a+b+c+d=18 > a+b+c+f=17. Since a+b+c is common to both equations, we can simplify to d > f. Therefore d=2 and f=1 and g=6 and j=3

4,5,7,8,9 remaining
2nd column / 4th row, a+e=12 could be either 4+8 or 5+7
2nd row / 4th column, e+c+h=22 can only be 5+8+9
E is common to both equations as are 5 and 8, so e is equal to either 5 or 8.
If e=5 then a=7 leaving 4,8,9 remaining which means bc=9, but no comination of the remaining 3 numbers is equal to 9. Therefore e=8 and a=4

5,7,9 remaining
1st row / 3rd column, b+c=12 can only be 7+5
2nd row / 4th column, c+h=14 can only be 5+9
c is common to both equations as is 5, therefore c=5 and b=7 and h=9

a=4
b=7
c=5
d=2
e=8
f=1
g=6
h=9
j=3

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Last edited:
OK, so I probably just did your homework for you but I can't turn down a challenge like that.

Nice puzzle, Email sent.
 
E-mail sent. I really can't be bothered going through my reasoning again as I have an A4 page full of scribbles.
 
I've done it. I'm spending more time trying to word the e-mail than doing the problem, forgotten how I've done some of it.

Edit: sent you mail.
 
Last edited:
I made an Excel spreadsheet and fiddled with the numbers with trial and error tbh. Nice puzzle. The Mail has something similar everyday.
 
I'm no great maths wizard so will have to go by trial and error, is there a way which uses purely logic to solve this or is it just trial and error?

You don't need to be a maths genius. It can be solved purely by using reasoning and logic with a small amount of simple addition/subtraction.
 
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