Sudoku - Day 7

Ok, we've taken a little break from Sudoku, so let's dive right in with a new strategy called: Matched Pairs. The pairs rule (there are others that we will investigate if we get to that bridge) reads like this: If you have 3 squares in a single row, column or box that have specific number combinations in them, you can eliminate certain numbers from those squares. Using our current puzzle I have pencil marked all possible options for box 1 [A1 - C3]


Notice how [A3] = 8 and [B1] = 5. Following Suit, [A1] = 5. Hold off on filling in the 3 in [C3] as I want to demonstrate the rule.

After the solutions indicated above, we are left with [B3] = (6,7), [C3] = (6,7,3) and [C1] = 3. The rule applies here as follows. If there are 2 squares the have the (6,7) combination in them making these the only two squares that can possibly have those two numbers, we can eliminate the 3 in [C3] even being an option. Now that is a little brainwashing, but it really works, as long as you stay within a row, column or box. Thus [C1] = 3.

Then filling in the obvious squares: [A4] = 5 we will conclude for today.

Here is our puzzle as of today.
Moving forward with some "Matched Pair Magic" I will be placing a 2 in [D3], and a 9 in [F7] next time.

The Doctor.