Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

Title: XV Earthquake VX
Type: Irregular Sudoku
Link: Penpa+ link to XV Earthquake VX Sudoku You may use Normal/Large/Medium/Small Blue, Green, or Red numbers in any combination.
Link: F-puzzles link to XV Earthquake VX Sudoku
Variants: XV, Modified VX, Earthquake, Renban, Little Killer, Killer Cages

There has been an Earthquake in Weaselhoven! Science Team X and Science Team V have been dispatched to find the epicenter. They collect readings from the seismographs in the surrounding provinces. The seismograph stations are located in two cell buildings (Killer Cages) which are annotated on the map. No two seismograph stations have the same reading. The seismograph readings are read from left to right or top to bottom (In a previous earthquake they recorded readings such as 3.7 and a 5.0). The epicenter is surrounded by one cell wide concentric seismic rings (see below for examples). The readings decrease in value as the shock wave propagates away from the epicenter. That is to say, in the next ring away from the epicenter, the highest value in that ring will be less than the lowest value of the previous closest ring. Seismograph buildings are considered to be in a ring if the leftmost or topmost cell is in that ring. Help the teams collect the seismograph readings to determine the epicenter of the quake so the first responders can help those most desperate in need! Fault lines (Renban) are drawn on the map to help you travel safely by avoiding aftershocks. Additionally, map coordinates (Little Killer clues) are provided to help you navigate around the rubble.

If you enjoyed XV Earthquake VX, be sure to visit @PrimeWeasel, the inventor of Earthquake for more great puzzles.

1) Irregular Sudoku

• 1.1) Place the digits 0 through 8 once each in every row, column, and shape.
• 1.2) When using f-puzzle, the 9 digit represents a zero. Treat the 9 as if the value is zero in all aspects of the puzzle (including mathematical operations and inequalities).
• 1.3) 36 is the secret number.

• 2.1) An X either sums or multiplies two adjacent cells (being simultaneously a sum and a multiplication is permitted).
• a) When X acts as a sum, the two cells sum to 10.
• b) When X acts as a multiplication sign, the two cells are multiplied together with their product immediately following to the right for rows or downward for columns. Multiplications cannot have a leading zero. e.g. 4 X 8 0 3 2 is not permitted, but 4 X 5 2 0 is permitted.
• i) Not all sums of 10 are given.
• ii) Not all multiplications are given.
• 2.2) A V either sums or represents an inequality between two adjacent cells (being simultaneously a sum and an inequality is permitted).
• a) When V acts as a sum, the two cells sum to 5.
• b) When V acts as an inequality, the one cell is greater than the other in the direction of the V.
• i) Not all sums of 5 are given.
• ii) Not all inequalities are given.

• 3.1) There are one cell wide concentric seismic rings around a single two cell epicenter. Location to be determined.
• 3.2) Two digit seismograph reading stations are located inside Killer Cages.
• a) A seismic station can be considered to be contained in a ring if the leftmost or uppermost cell is in that ring.
• b) Seismograph readings do not repeat.
• c) Seismograph readings decrease further away from the epicenter. That is to say, in the next ring away from the epicenter, the highest value in that ring will be less than the lowest value of the previous closest ring.

4) Renban

• Grey lines are Renban lines. Each line contains a set of consecutive, non-repeating digits, in any order.

5) Little Killer

• 5.1) Digits along an indicated diagonal must sum to the total.
• 5.2) Digits may repeat along the diagonal.

6) Killer Cages

• 6.1) Digits in a killer cage add to the total in the top left. Not all totals are given.
• 6.2) Digits cannot repeat in a cage.

7) Notes

• 7.1) When using f-puzzle, the timer will not stop after you complete the puzzle.
• 7.2) When using f-puzzle, some cells will have digits in red although they will be correct if you have Highlight Conflicts selected.

Examples of Earthquake seismic rings:

Examples of Modified VX (0 for Penpa+, 9 for f-puzzles):
ROW 2--Six multiplied by five equals thirty (6 X 5 3 0/9).
ROW 3--Five summed with zero equals five (5 V 0/9).
ROW 4--Three summed with two equals five, also two multiplied by four equals eight (3 V 2 X 4 8).
COLUMN 1--Six is greater than five, also five is greater than three (6 V 5 V 3).
COLUMN 2--Five is greater than zero but also five summed with zero equals zero (5 V 0/9).
COLUMN 3--Two multiplied by three equals six, also six summed with four equals ten (2 X 3 6 X 4).
COLUMN 4--Seven is greater zero, also two summed with eight equals ten (7 V 0 2 X 8)