How Many Different Differences?
(Published on 10. November 2025, 00:17 by marty_sears)
Rules:
Normal 6 x 6 sudoku rules apply.
The circled digit on a line indicates how many DISTINCT differences exist between pairs of adjacent digits along that line. Eg: A line that reads 6425136 has adjacent pairs whose differences are 2,2,3,4,2,3 respectively. Therefore, the digit 3 on the line would be circled, because there are 3 distinct differences (2, 3 and 4).
No two circles contain the same digit.
Solution code: Column 1 reading downwards
Comments
on 3. February 2026, 17:43 by Jasperrr
Got stuck at first because I somehow did not register the "no same digit" constraint.
When you spot the trick, it gets quite fun and fairly easy. But it took me a while to find it.
on 26. January 2026, 12:21 by FifthWorld
I found this really hard. The few tricks I found at the start worked out okay, but then I got stuck and just had to case test.
on 17. November 2025, 22:36 by ThymePass
I love 6x6 puzzles and Marty has somehow managed to squeeze in a couple of signature shenanigans into this grid :) 'twas great fun! Cheers!
on 16. November 2025, 12:37 by ThePedallingPianist
A colourful, cute, quality puzzle!
on 13. November 2025, 13:49 by fishwithapipe
I had a similar experience to @mscha but once I realised where to look it flowed wonderfully.
on 11. November 2025, 19:14 by Ratfinkz
Lovely!! I enjoyed intuiting some of the logic here and then proving why it must be so! Very smooth solve! ????
on 10. November 2025, 18:51 by mscha
Tough one! I got a break-in of two circled digits fairly quickly, but then it took me forever to find a way forward. I gave it 4 stars for difficulty, 2 more than the consensus.
on 10. November 2025, 15:28 by patinthehat48
Another incredibly creative puzzle Marty, great work!
on 10. November 2025, 13:58 by Franjo
Big fun with a small grid. Thank you very much for creating and sharing another lovely puzzle.
on 10. November 2025, 13:48 by vitaminz
Classic Marty right up to the end
on 10. November 2025, 07:38 by wuc
Awesome snack. The break in and further ideas are so creative and fun to find. Great setting thx.
on 10. November 2025, 04:27 by Elker
Fun little puzzle. Thanks for setting.
