Shaken, Not Stirred

Title: Shaken, Not Stirred

Rating: 4/5

This is the last puzzle I've created.  It's a mix puzzle to finish out the run.  It's been a nice two-plus years, and this set of puzzles concludes posting on my wedding anniversary.  The title, I should probably mention, is just coincidence.   


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.

Carnival

Title: Carnival

Rating: 4/5

Carnivale starts in Rio on February 5 this year, so this puzzle will help you enjoy the ride if you aren't in South America right now.

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.  

Zeus

Title: Zeus

Rating: 4/5

As one of the more difficult product puzzles, you may feel a little thunderstruck trying to complete this one.

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. 

Colors Have Been Twinned

Title: Colors Have Been Twinned

Rating: 4/5

Please pardon the Pocahontas pun.  The puzzle above is not an alternate puzzle.  However, the cells at the following locations don't just abut--they intersect: (2,2), (2,5), (2,8), (5,2), (5,8), (8,2), (8,5), (8,8).  The colors in these cells are the average of the colors of the regions intersecting there.  For example, cell (5,8)--row 5, column 8--is contained in both the horizontal green region and the vertical blue region.


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. 

Apple Martini

Title: Apple Martini

Rating: 4/5

I'm all for this mix of vodka, apple schnapps, and Cointreau garnished with a cherry in spirit.  Just not so much in practice.

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.

Fundamentals

Title: Fundamentals

Rating: 4/5

This is another toral board puzzle, to join the ranks of Prorus and Circuitry.  As a reminder about the alteration, check out the last rule below.

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.
• The board is a “toral board,” that is, cells at the end of one row are considered adjacent to those at the beginning of the same row; cells at the end of one column are considered adjacent to those at the beginning of the same column, and all corner cells are considered adjacent. 

Microscopic

Title: Microscopic

Rating: 4/5

I suppose this one would pair nicely with Petri Dish in name, but it's not quite as difficult as that one.

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.

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.

A Four Color Problem

Title: A Four Color Problem (original)

Rating: 4/5

On the last sum puzzle, I had no inspiration for the title.  This week's puzzle is the first sum puzzle I created.  The second was published in MAA Focus; so consider this a two-for-one week.

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.

Stitch in Time

Title: Stitch in Time

Rating: 4/5

One of the harder product puzzles I've created, in part because of the larger products in the puzzle.  Good luck.

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.

Candy Center

Title: Candy Center

Rating: 4/5

 

One of the earliest puzzles of any type that I created, this happens also be one of the hardest.  Enjoy the treat.

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.

Dark and Stormy

Title: Dark and Stormy

Rating: 4/5

As the hardest mix puzzle yet posted, you may feel the need to make yourself the titular drink.  If so, it's dark rum and ginger beer on the rocks, garnished with lime.

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.

Iron Throne

Title: Iron Throne

Rating: 4/5

The hardest puzzle yet posted (in my opinion--as ever, feel free to post thoughts about the difficulty rating in the comments), and one that belies a fascination with a certain fantasy world.  If you get too frustrated, calm down: you don't want to lose your head.

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.