Monster Math
(Published on 26. October 2023, 02:40 by ThePedallingPianist)
I published this with much excitement and haste, and I'm glad I did because it has been received very warmly - thank you for this! However, on review, there are a couple of very small adjustments that I think improve the puzzle slightly as certain clues give unnecessary information and potentially distract the solver from the intended deductions. The solution path and the solution itself both remain exactly the same.
Version 1 (original)
Version 2 (streamlined clues)
Please note the following rule clarifications:
- The Ghost's value gets added to the cell above, and not the digit. So, if a Ghost is below a Prey, which is next to a Vampire, the Ghost cell's value is 0, the Prey cell's value is equal to the Ghost digit, and the Vampire cell's value is equal to the Prey digit plus the Vampire digit. In other words, Vampires eat Preys and not Ghosts.
- Similarly, if a Ghost is below a Zombie, the Zombie digit immediately has a negative value, and the Ghost adds its positive value to the cell.
- The Ghost in row 1 has a value of 0 as its value floats out the grid!
These are all very tricky to word in a completely unambiguous manner, so I appreciate the queries and feedback when there is confusion. However, rest assured that the above points are either irrelevant to the solve or able to be proven quite easily because, when they do become relevant, an incorrect interpretation of the rules would break the puzzle.
Solution code: Column 9 (of the 9x9 grid), top to bottom
Comments
on 20. October 2024, 22:16 by Fool on Hill
I must have missed this last year - beautifully executed puzzle, a joy to solve
on 20. February 2024, 17:47 by nordloc
Amazing!
on 17. November 2023, 09:15 by Geb
This was right on the edge of my ability to solve, I really had to push to be able to finish at all, but the logic path was amazing. The solution makes perfect sense in hindsight and this was very well presented. Incredible work!
on 29. October 2023, 14:55 by peacherwu2
What a brilliant mind!
on 29. October 2023, 02:59 by ThePedallingPianist
Version 2 added, with slightly streamlined clues.
on 28. October 2023, 20:39 by ViKingPrime
What a beautiful, maddening puzzle. This is a herculean feat of setting, well done!
on 28. October 2023, 02:35 by samuel1997
What a treat! I wish this puzzle got featured on CTC on Halloween because it is just magical!
on 28. October 2023, 00:45 by DadJokes
What a wonderful puzzle! I was convinced I had broken it on multiple occasions only to find out that there were other ways to make the cages work. Brilliant!
on 27. October 2023, 14:56 by giladooshlon
That was just so good! Thoroughly enjoyed it, and would enjoy Simon on it for sure!
(I greatly appreciate the ref table)
on 27. October 2023, 01:48 by ThePedallingPianist
Rule clarification added regarding behaviour of Ghosts
on 26. October 2023, 21:15 by Goh-joh
So much fun to solve this one! Beautiful!
on 26. October 2023, 16:43 by MonsieurTRISTE
What if a Ghost passes its value to a Prey which is adjacent to a Vampire?
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Good question. The Ghost's value goes to the cell above it and stays there, and the Vampire takes the value of the Prey only. It's tough to word that unambiguously but hopefully that clarifies! :)
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Thanks for making it clear. It is a very nice puzzle!
