How To Solve Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles come in literally hundreds of different shapes and sizes, but they all have very one simple thing in common: an answer can be obtained if you work through it slowly and carefully. Logic puzzles may seem overwhelming and frustrating at times, but answers can be worked out if you pay close attention to details and clues, and search for wording that is meant to trick or mislead you.

The basic logic problem that we have all faced at one point or another usually features a couple of people of interest. Each has a different name, each did a different activity, and maybe each ate a different thing. Through clues, you can discover all the various names, activities and meals, but the real trick of this logic puzzle is to determine which individual did and ate what.

Another popular brand of logic puzzles are math-oriented. A+B=C, and we know they must all be different numbers, none are zero, and C is 3. It is pretty easy to figure out from there what the possibilities for A and B are. The real trick, especially as logic puzzles get more complicated, is to narrow down your options, and eliminate possibilities. Follow these simple steps, and you will be well on your way to solving logic puzzles.

1. Start with a chart. The first thing you will want to do when tackling most forms of logic puzzles is to start with a chart. Line up your topic of interests (names/letters) as your rows. For your columns you will want the activities people have done/numerical values. This will give you a complete chart display of all the different options in  this logic puzzle. If your topics of interest aren't provided to you initially, scan through the clues to figure out all the different topics, and fill them out on your chart.

2. Start eliminating options. This is done by following your clues in the logic puzzle. If you are able to draw a connection that someone did not perform an activity, put an X in the corresponding box on the chart. If a clue tells you exactly what someone did, give them a checkmark, and X out all of the other possibilities for that person, as well as everyone else for that activity. Slowly but surely, you will begin narrowing down your fields. Once you start seeing only one option for a particular person, you will then know that the individual can be the only person who fits that part.  You've just solved the first bit of the logic puzzle!
3. Take one clue at a time. One of the most important things to remember is to tackle information slowly and one clue at a time. When you've finished all the clues and haven't solved the logic puzzle, don't be frustrated. Tie up any loose ends, and then start reading through the clues one at a time. You will find that now that you have made some basic deductions, you will be able to learn new things and come closer to solving the logic puzzle.
4. Diligence. Often you will need to run through your clues many, many times before you can solve the logic puzzle. If you get stuck, check each clue slowly one at a time and check your chart to make sure you can't deduct some further information. Scan for any tricky or misleading language.  A clue to finding this sort of language is to notice any wording that is a bit different than how you would normally expect something to be worded.

There are many other types of logic puzzles as well. One that has garnered huge popularity recently is called the Sudoku puzzle. Originally big in Japan, these brand of logic puzzles have very recently made an appearance in American culture, and caught on in a big way with the general population.

The sudoko kind logic puzzles resembles a huge 9 by 9 grid separated into 6 smaller 3 by 3 grids. These smaller grids are called regions. The trick is that each row, column and region may not contain the same digit. The are 9 digits in total, 1 through 9. The key trick is that portions of the logic puzzle are already filled out, and these are called the givens, around which the rest of the logic puzzle is formed.

1. The key to solving the sudoko logic puzzle is to be very meticulous. Start from the easiest point of reference, where the most amount of givens are provided.

2. Once you have identified that column or row, you can begin filling out the remaining digits accordingly, keeping close watch on other rows or columns pertaining to the one you are working on.
3. The best thing to remember when working with any sort of logic puzzle is that it is all a process of elimination. Compare your results to what has already been defined in corresponding areas to eliminate the possibilities. You will find that sometimes you don't know the answer, but if you know what it isn't, you can usually make a very good deduction.
4. Take your time when working with sudoko, as it is very easy to make a slip up. When you have completed any row or column, double check to make sure that you haven't doubled a certain digit by mistake. The longer you go on with that mistake remaining, the harder it will become to back track and fix it.

Logic puzzles come in nearly all different shapes and sizes. From things like the game mastermind to algorithms and cross sums, a logic puzzle can come in literally hundreds of different forms. But they all share one very simple thing in common; the way to solving a logic puzzle is to look at the possibilities and make eliminations accordingly, until you have eliminated all other possible lines of reasoning to leave only one remaining. The best way to solve a logic puzzle with complicated scenarios is to resort to the charting method, but you will find, over time, that you can handle simple problems solely in your head.

If you follow these simple guidelines and steps, you will be well on your way to solving logic puzzles. Just remember, keep at it, take it slowly and carefully, because even one small error in judgment can skew your results. Good luck, and happy logic puzzle solving!