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Mathematics for Puzzles

• Speaker: chaotic_iak

Puzzles are known to help train problem solving skills for more "serious" subjects such as mathematics. This talk explores the other way around: how mathematics can apply in puzzle design. For example, loop-drawing puzzles often involve parity, and a general deduction step in Yin-Yang puzzles comes from topology. This talk will mainly discuss pencil puzzles such as Sudoku and Slitherlink, but the general rule about puzzle design is applicable broadly.

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