Mystery Prime Cages 7x7
(Published on 30. May 2024, 01:23 by Xenonetix)
• Each row and column contains the digits from 1 to 7 once each.
• The digits in each cage sum to a prime number but no two cages sum to the same prime. Digits in a cage MAY repeat.
Thanks to Shintaro Fushida-Hardy (5x5) & Qodec (6x6) for the inspiration!
Hope you enjoy the puzzle! 😄 - Any feedback or comments welcome!
Solution code: Row 6 (left to right) & Column 6 (top to bottom) (14 digits)
Comments
on 24. January 2025, 09:19 by TheNineElements
Solve Time: 39:09
I rated this 3/5 difficulty.
Wow really cool puzzle with some nice logic/math. It was surprisingly achievable to solve in a reasonably fast time, but was really tricky to 'break in'. The logic in the top left area of the grid was really cool, and I enjoyed figuring out which cage sums were possible based on the geometry in that area.
I spent the first 15 minutes jotting down notes about each cage's range, and determining required cage sums that must be present in the puzzle. until I determined required sum values and which cages could be associated with them. After I made these notes I spent another 10-15 minutes trying to place my cage sums into their respective cages.
Once I had assigned the placement of ~5 cage sums in the grid, and began placing some digits/pencilmarks, the remainder of the puzzle was much easier and collapsed rather quickly.
The weird thing about this puzzle (for me) was that the break-in was entirely taking place in my notes. As soon as I could begin effectively pencil marking cells or placing digits, the whole puzzle just came together at once. It was almost as if there wasn't really a traditioanl mid-game, and nearly the whole solve took place in my notes/head. It was very unusual but was quite interesting and fun! Totally different than any other puzzle I have solved before.
I typically rate the break-in and midgame separately, but due to the unusual method by which I solved this, there wasn't really a distinct break-in, as almost all of the tough logic was done during the break-in/beginning stages of the solve. I decided my overall difficulty rating was 3/5 - completely based on the 'break-in'. Once I had assigned the first few cages, the rest of the puzzle was 1/5 difficulty - but getting there was tough!
Very fun and interesting puzzle, thanks for sharing!
on 5. June 2024, 00:19 by Ragna
What a wonderful puzzle! I had so much fun! Thank you very much. :-))
on 31. May 2024, 15:27 by Felis_Timon
Now we have to wait for Simon to announce the unavoidable challenge of setting an 8x8 version
on 30. May 2024, 20:57 by glum_hippo
If only one person can make a 7x7 version, it will be Xenonetix!
on 30. May 2024, 14:51 by marcmees
very nice. thanks
on 30. May 2024, 01:33 by sfushidahardy
Really well set! I truly didn't think it was possible to make a 7x7 version which is fun to solve, but you've proved us wrong.
