Planter's Punch

Title: Planter's Punch

Rating: 4/5

Among the ingredients in this drink that are three of the main colors of the puzzle are the dark rum, Grenadine syrup, and lemon juice.  The drink is meant to be served on the rocks, which accounts for the final color.

The official rules:

• The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
• Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum (denoted by +) or multiply to the indicated product (denoted by *).   
• Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum/product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
• Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that repetition doesn't violate the first rule.

Contour Map

Title: Contour Map

Rating: 2/5

This product puzzle reminded me of what are called level sets in a multivariable Calculus class.  If you haven't taken such a course, you might think of the regions as those in a topography map.

The official rules:

• The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
• Digits in each shaded region must multiply to the indicated product.   
• Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
• Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that doesn't violate the first rule. 

Six is Afraid

Title: Six is Afraid

Rating: 1/5

And why, you might ask, is six afraid of seven?  The puzzle contains the answer several times.

The official rules:

• The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
• Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum.   
• Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum for adjacent regions of each of those colors.
• Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that doesn't violate the first rule.

Long Island

Title: Long Island

Rating: 3/5

Officially, this is a mix of tequila, vodka, white rum, gin, lemon juice, triple sec, Gomme syrup, and a dash of cola; it also brings back memories of grad school.  I'll leave it to you to determine which ingredients were chosen as the colors in the puzzle.

The official rules:

• The digits 1 through 9 appear in each row and each column exactly once.
• Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum (denoted by +) or multiply to the indicated product (denoted by *).   
• Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum/product for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
• Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that repetition doesn't violate the first rule.

Bob Webber

Title: Bob Webber

Rating: 3/5

In conjunction with the April Problem of the Month, I'm posting this puzzle that celebrates my colleague Bob Webber's 43rd and final year at Longwood.  He had an extraordinary influence on many lives, including mine.  He is truly irreplaceable.

The official rules:

• The positive integer factors of 2015 (of which there are 8) and the number 43 (his years of Longwood service) appear in each row, each column, and each 3X3 grid exactly once.
• Digits in each shaded region must add to the indicated sum.   
• Squares with multiple colors contain a number that’s used in the sum for adjacent regions of each of those colors.  
• Remember: numbers can repeat within a shaded region if that doesn't violate the first rule.