MathDoku (KenKen)

Fill the grid. Crack the cages. Beat the clock.

What is MathDoku (KenKen)?

MathDoku is a number puzzle that blends Sudoku logic with mental math. You get a square grid split into outlined groups called cages. Each cage shows a target number and an operation, like 6+ or 2÷. Single-cell cages just show a number with no operation.

The goal is simple to state, tricky to pull off. Fill every cell with a digit so two things hold at once. No digit repeats in any row or column. And every cage's numbers hit its target using the listed operation. Get all of it right and the board locks in green. That's the whole loop: read a cage, test the digits, check the grid, repeat.

How to Play

Controls are click-only. No typing needed.

1. Click any cell to select it. The board starts with a cell near the center already selected.
2. Read the cage label in the cell's top-left corner, like 5+ or 3×.
3. Check the Cage Helper panel on the side. It lists the valid digit combinations for the selected cage.
4. Tap a number on the keypad to drop it into the selected cell.
5. Made a mistake? Hit CLEAR to empty the cell.
6. Keep filling, and keep every digit unique within its row and column.
7. When the grid is full, has no row or column repeats, and every cage satisfies its label, the board flashes green and you win.

Scoring & Rules

MathDoku is win-or-lose, not point-based. Solve the board and you score 1; your opponent scores 0. Fail and it flips the other way. There are no streaks, combos, or lives.

The win check tests three things together: the grid is completely filled, no digit repeats in any row or column, and every cage satisfies its arithmetic label. All three must be true at the same moment.

A countdown timer drives the pressure. A 4x4 board gives you 120 seconds; a tougher 5x5 gives you 180. With 10 seconds left the timer turns urgent and starts ticking. In a duel, an AI bot is also solving. If it finishes first, or time hits zero, you lose and the full solution is revealed.

Strategy Tips

• Hunt for single-cell cages first. A cage with one cell and no operation is a locked-in digit. Place those instantly.
• Lean on the Cage Helper. It lists the valid digit combinations for the selected cage. When only one combination fits, you have a guaranteed set of digits.
• Start with the most constrained cages. Small targets and division cages usually have fewer valid digit sets, so they narrow the board fast.
• Cross-check rows and columns constantly. A combination can satisfy a cage and still break the no-repeat rule. Remember duplicates only work when cells avoid sharing a row or column.
• Watch the board size. Tougher bots trigger the 5x5 grid with more cages and a tighter solve window. Pace yourself.

Skills It Exercises

MathDoku is a fun way to practice mental arithmetic across addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, all under a clock. Every cage asks you to test which digits hit a target, then hold those candidates in your head while you check them against the grid.

It's designed to exercise logical deduction and working memory. You eliminate options, track constraints across rows and columns, and plan a few moves ahead. With practice you may get faster at spotting valid number combinations and scanning a grid for conflicts. It's a steady workout for focused, step-by-step reasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

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