Entertainment

Can You Solve the ‘World’s Hardest’ Sudoku? We Couldn’t

Arto Inkala, a mathematician based out of Finland, has created what can supposedly rival the world’s most difficult sudoku puzzle.  Hosted on the website efamol.com, the puzzle has a staggering 11-star difficulty rating, compared to the average five stars seen in the newspaper.

The man spent close to three months creating the puzzle, and warns that it’s not for the faint of heart.  His spokesman assures that it’s not impossible to solve, but ”we haven’t had any reports of anyone else completing it yet.”

Check out the puzzle, which the Telegraph has advertised as the “world’s hardest,” below:

Arto Inkala of Finland Creates Sudoku to Rival Worlds Hardest

 

For those who are unfamiliar, Sudoku has surged in popularity over the last ten years both for its entertainment value, and because studies have shown that engaging the mind with complex puzzles can help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Count to Nine explains how to play:

 A sudoku puzzle consists of a 9 × 9–square grid subdivided into nine 3 × 3 boxes. Some of the squares contain numbers. The object is to fill in the remaining squares so that every row, every column, and every 3 × 3 box contains each of the numbers from 1 to 9 exactly once.

Solving a Sudoku puzzle involves pure logic. No guesswork is needed—or even desirable. Getting started involves mastering just a few simple techniques.

Think you’re up to the challenge?

If you’re the type that must know the answers (or you need a little help along the way), here is the solution.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

Comments (65)

1 2
  • Familyof11
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:33pm

    I had to take a guess on where the 5′s should go to get started but was able to solve the puzzle in under an hour. It’s probably because I was homeschooled. :)

    Report Post »  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 6:51pm

      For this particular puzzle, your strategy was excellent. I opted to solve GRID 9, first. That grid had the least number of possibilities. Just like everything nowadays people are taking a simple concept and making it more and more complicated. Have you seen the recent Rubik’s cubes? They are gigantic. They have even added COLOR to Buckyballs. So when I saw a Sudoku which used many more numbers (2-digit numbers), I wasn’t surprised, but I remain saddened. Takes the fun out of it. Congratulations on solving this whopper!

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
  • INVISIBLESMITHANDWESSON
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:58am

    SPOILER ALERT…

    Using a simple recursive PERL script:

    cat sudoku.pl

    #!/usr/bin/perl -w
    use integer;@A=split//,;sub R{for$i(0..80){next if$A[$i];my%t=map{$_/9
    ==$i/9||$_%9==$i%9||$_/27==$i/27&&$_%9/3==$i%9/3?$A[$_]:0=>1}0..80;R($A[
    $i]=$_)for grep{!$t{$_}}1..9;return$A[$i]=0}die@A}R

    cat sudoku.input

    800000000003600000070090200050007000000045700000100030001000068008500010090000400

    Create those two files and run the command:
    sudoku.pl < sudoku.input

    Gives the solution:

    812753649943682175675491283154237896369845721287169534521974368438526917796318452

    Just fill out the boxes from left to right, top to bottom.

    Q.E.D.

    Report Post » INVISIBLESMITHANDWESSON  
    • kain21
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:49pm

      yeah, got the same. normally, i wouldn’t cheat and use a solver, but even using it, i was required to guess 3 or 4 numbers to get the solution. so if you are trying to use logic to solve a illogical puzzle, yeah… guess it would be tough…

      Report Post »  
  • antiprogressive
    Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:57am

    Well, after 2 hours I haven’t got a single number.
    And I routinely do “EVIL” puzzles in 30-45 minutes.

    SO, to EVERYONE who has CLAIMED to have solved it, tell us ALL -

    What single number did you get first and more importantly WHY it must be correct.
    Explain your logic.

    Those who are WORKING it would love to hear this…

    You know who you are – so do we – don’t forget WHY.
    Or do your programs explain that too?
    Don’t know – I would never stoop low enough to use one…

    Report Post »  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:02pm

      There are 3 methods which are essential in solving Sudoku puzzles. #1 Simple logic. Everyone assumes they will find at least one easy number in each puzzle, but in this puzzle there are none. #2 Combinatorial possibilities/impossibilities. 128, 128, 18 eliminates all 3 numbers from remainder of a grid. #3 Speculative guessing based on maximum effect on puzzle. Some people call this guessing, but if you look ahead in the puzzle, you can see which numbers effect the most outcomes. Thus, if you have to choose between 3 and 9 and the neighboring grid has a cell with 2,9 as possibilities, you could speculate 9, knowing you have the 2 in the bag. I cannot post the picture of my completed solution to this puzzle, but I will tell you that GRID 9 is where I started because of the fewest possibilities. 3,5,9 in cell 1 and 3,9 in cell 4. After a few mis-trials I figured out that GRID 9 had to be 368, 917, 452 and although that was a fantastic discovery there were a few more speculations I had to attempt later in the puzzle. The last one was the 2,9 combination in 4 locations. If one is a 2, then you get 3 more cells, but if you are wrong you know for certain that is was a 9.

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
  • BelieveMe
    Posted on July 1, 2012 at 6:48pm

    There is no such thing as an 11 star SUDOKO puzzle. I am an expert at these and regardless of the clues, it is only 9 x 9. There are significantly more difficult SUDOKU puzzles which use an expanded grid. Before announcing such tom-foolery of an 11 star puzzle, do a little research, first.

    Report Post » BelieveMe  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:55pm

      OK, but did you solve it? If not, sit down and shut up.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • antiprogressive
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:47am

      amen to the sit down shut up.

      I bet he‘s the guy who doesn’t like foods that he NEVER TASTED.

      Report Post »  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 4:47pm

      TO: ATTENTION2DETAIL & ANTIPROGRESSIVE … There are 3 strategic methods used to solve Sudoku puzzles. #1 simple logic #2 combinatoric possibilities/impossibilities #3 speculative logic (this includes such ideas as: what number provides the most logical outcomes or the classic pick one of the three possibilities and see what happens. I ASSURE you DUMBA$$e$ that #1 cannot be used in this puzzle until #2 and/or #3 are attempted. The simplest choice is located in GRID 9, 2nd row, 1st position. That square must either be a 3 or a 9. The square above that has to be a 3, 5 or 9. Thus, method #3 must be utilized to its fullest potential and with as little speculation as possible to provide the maximum used of method #1. Thus, pick either 3,5,9 and 3,9 and work from there. Once you have successfully determined GRID 9, the rest will follow using method #1. Available for hire.

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
  • rochrealtor
    Posted on July 1, 2012 at 4:25pm

    Ok….made an early error, but still did it! :), 2.5 hours! I stopped doing Sudoku when I cancelled my subscription to the Rochester “Democrat and Chronicle,” over a year ago. It is progressive pile of garbage. The only reason I keep it… was for the Sudoku, but they decided to do 1-2 star puzzles so even “progressives” could get a trophy! They are in financial crisis… when do you think “they” will catch on and deliver news or puzzles for intelligent people?
    I Will look forward to seeing everyone at the poles in November! God Bless America.

    Report Post »  
  • verodaph
    Posted on July 1, 2012 at 9:34am

    totally dissapointing…15 minutes of a rainny afternoon, one try and already solved…a mathematician really did waste three months on this??? I think that happens when one is so focused in his specialization, that oversees the simple path. Or did he want to bluff and get his name published around?? oh well….

    Report Post »  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:30am

      From my college daze… an engineer and a mathematician stood before a closed door and were told that there was a beautiful woman in bed in that room eager for “romance” but there was one restriction: each step they took was limited to no more than 1/2 the distance from where they stood to the bed. The door was opened; the mathematician didn’t move while the engineer dashed across the room and jumped in the bed. The mathematician protested: “It is impossible to reach the bed!” The engineer responded: “Close enough!”

      It is “impossible” to calculate the exact value of pi but usually just a couple of decimal places are sufficient to calculate a satisfactory result to a physical problem. So what IF a mathematician spends weeks creating the “perfect” puzzle? It’s an interesting theory and mathematical dance but in the end, let’s use our time wisely, accomplish something, and move on. CLOSE ENOUGH!

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
  • Gumbercules
    Posted on July 1, 2012 at 3:25am

    Why is it 11 stars?! If the hardest is traditionally 5 stars, what gives this douche any right to skip stars 6 through 10?! He is rubbing it in our faces by skipping 10 and going to 11. Have you ever heard of a Leikart scale going from 1 to 11? Maybe that’s how they do things in Switzerland . . .

    Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:06pm

      Exactly. In many aspects, being forced to speculate expedites the solution of Sudoku puzzles, anyway!

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
  • THXll38
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:03pm

    Mr. Beck -

    Did you see all the geniuses that post to the Blaze! Not only can the solve the words hardest Sudoku puzzle with Excel and Java, they can solve the wolds problems the same way! It would be in your best interest to hire these self proclaimed Internet geniuses to work directly with you and your staff.

    Report Post » THXll38  
  • freelancer91
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 7:44pm

    I’ll write a java program to solve it. Challenge accepted…..

    Report Post »  
    • Gumbercules
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:00pm

      Sorry, there is an excel program, and several websites for solving sudoku that have beat you to the punch.

      Report Post » Gumbercules  
  • littlebitflighty
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 4:12pm

    Humm, did you all think we missed the link to the solution?

    Report Post » littlebitflighty  
    • MrLemur
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:15pm

      Did you look up the solution? Well, that’s no fun!

      Report Post »  
  • kangaroo
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 4:00pm

    Well, not defeated yet, got nearly to the end on the second try, will have another go later,

    And for you lot that printed the numbers out, thats just what they are numbers. unless they are in context of the game, they are gobbly ****.

    Report Post » kangaroo  
    • MrLemur
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:16pm

      Don’t look at the numbers or the solution! Keep trying on your own – so what if it takes you awhile. The fun is doing it on your own! Good job so far! :oD

      Report Post »  
  • ComradeAdam
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:30pm

    Answers:
    812 753 649
    943 682 175
    675 491 283

    154 237 896
    369 845 721
    287 169 534

    521 974 368
    438 526 917
    796 318 452

    Report Post » ComradeAdam  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:38pm

      @ ComradeAdam <—— Another spoiled brat. (Yes, kids we all know where the answers are. Now go back to torturing insects for your fun.)

      Report Post »  
  • jtylerb
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:26pm

    I love sudoku and am always up for a challenge. I solved this one in about an hour. The problem with this one is have to guess even to get it started. I had it almost finished when I noticed a mistake, erased about twenty numbers and went again. Yippeeee… Good stuff.

    Report Post »  
  • Outrider IT
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:15pm

    8 1 2 7 5 3 6 4 9
    9 4 3 6 8 2 1 7 5
    6 7 5 4 9 1 2 8 3
    1 5 4 2 3 7 8 9 6
    3 6 9 8 4 5 7 2 1
    2 8 7 1 6 9 5 3 4
    5 2 1 9 7 4 3 6 8
    4 3 8 5 2 6 9 1 7
    7 9 6 3 1 8 4 5 2

    Tough one!

    Report Post »  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:31pm

      @ Outrider IT

      Outrider IT !!! You’re the kind of person that will ask if someone read a certain book, and when they reply “no”, you go on to tell them the ending. You’re a spoiler, and a spoiled brat, too!

      Report Post »  
    • Outrider IT
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 5:30pm

      Diane TX said: “Outrider IT !!! You’re the kind of person that will ask if someone read a certain book, and when they reply “no”, you go on to tell them the ending. You’re a spoiler, and a spoiled brat, too!”

      Okay, first of all, unless you have some sort of amazing perfect photographic memory, you shouldn’t have any issues with seeing a big panel of numbers. Anyone seeing a large block of numbers like that would immediately know what it was without having to study it, therefore being able to skip the spoiler. If you wanted no help, then simply look away and be amazed at the power of the human mind to dismiss the trivial.

      In regard to your other ignorant comments: you don’t know me. Please grow up — I was offering a solution so those that were stumped on this very difficult puzzle could get a few hints, or verify their answers.

      Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:29am

      Diane,

      Get a grip.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
    • MrLemur
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:20pm

      Why would you give answers?

      Report Post »  
  • 80mesh
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:09pm

    the answer is …. 42 …

    Report Post » 80mesh  
    • MrLemur
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Why, yes it is! Life, Universe, …. Everything!!

      Report Post »  
  • Bononi1967
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:02pm

    The White House just announced that you will be charged a PENALTY if you do not solve it…but don’t worry, its a small penalty this year and only increases over the next couple years “a little”

    UPDATE: Supreme Court decided it would be a TAX on you…

    UPDATE: White House say’s its a PENALTY, not a TAX

    Report Post » Bononi1967  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:08pm

      @ Bononi1967

      Lol !!

      Report Post »  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:10pm

      Lol. The funniest thing about the GOVERNMENT requiring people to buy insurance is that the law treats insurance like GAMBLING. Therefore, the U.S. Government is requiring that its citizens gamble. They are even asking the states to open casinos to take bets!

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
  • RumoursAboutAngels
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:59pm

    I love sudoku, I’m doing this one!

    Report Post »  
  • Zwiseguy
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:58pm

    Challenge ACCEPTED

    Report Post » Zwiseguy  
  • ASE
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:52pm

    I’ll give it a shot, I mean, it’s only sudoku so how hard can it be?

    Report Post »  
  • nappy
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:48pm

    It isn’t a challenge if you can write a piece of code to solve it in a couple of hours.

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:02pm

    This should be the State Dept’s test for “genius” visa status.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:59pm

    I usually solve four Sudoku puzzles everyday. I think I have a Sudoku addiction.

    Report Post »  
    • kangaroo
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:38pm

      Me too, are you going to give this a go? I am printing it out now

      Report Post » kangaroo  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:40pm

      @ kangaroo

      Yep, I can’t resist it.

      Report Post »  
    • kangaroo
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:45pm

      Diane, let me know if you get it done, I printed 3 copies cause I must admit some give me a hard time.

      Report Post » kangaroo  
  • Red Meat
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:41pm

    Let’s keep Wolf Blitzer away from this one.

    Report Post » Red Meat  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:33pm

    Waiting to hear msnbc announce Obama solved it in minutes.

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:29pm

    send this over to the whitehouse

    it will keep obamas “ numbers” people busy for a decade

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • Sparhawk
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:49pm

      It won’t keep them busy for a decade. What would happen, though, is this: the administration will come up with an obviously invalid answer, then spend 2 years explaining why this is actually a valid answer and that the original puzzle had some problems that they had to fix. They will then spend money on TV advertising explaining how their “correct” answer fixes the problems with the original puzzle, and MSNBC will devote hours explaining the “problems” with the original puzzle and why the Obama version is much, much better and gives Chris Matthews a tingle up his leg every time he looks at it.

      Report Post »  
    • Slice_Of_Life
      Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:00pm

      Sparhawk, Brilliant reply. I laughed out loud….until I began to weep when the sobering reality of your satire kicked me in the gut.

      OMG 2012…..REPEAL OBAMATAX

      Report Post » Slice_Of_Life  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 3, 2012 at 7:15pm

      Exactly! INSURANCE is gambling that something bad will happen to you. You lose if nothing bad never happens! Obama is asking states to open casinos to take bets.

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love