BEYOND THE GRID: EXPLORING THE MATHEMATICS

OF TRIANGULAR SUDOKU

This Paper is a partial fulfillment of the subject, Problem Solving

Mathematical Investigation and Modelling In the Bachelor of

Secondary Education major in Mathematics at

Pangasinan State University-Sta. Maria

Campus

AUTHORS:

BALLOCANAG, JOSHUA KEVEN G.

GULLA, ANGELICA MARIE M.

MINA, JOHN CARL M.

MAY 2025
 BEYOND THE GRID: EXPLORING THE MATHEMATICS

OF TRIANGULAR SUDOKU

Authors: Ballocanag, Joshua Keven G. (1) Gulla, Angelica Marie M. (2) Mina, John Carl M. (3)

INTRODUCTION:

Sudoku is a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. In

which players insert the numbers one to nine into a grid consisting of nine

squares subdivided into further nine smaller number appears once in each

horizontal line, vertical line and square.

Sudoku the classic number puzzle is not confined to its familiar square

grid. While the 9x9 square is the most common. The fundamental rules placing

the digits one(1) to nine(9) or any set of consecutive numbers in each row,

column, and specified set of smaller blocks (regions) can be adapted to create

puzzles of widely different shapes and sizes.

“Beyond the Grid: Exploring the Mathematics of Triangular Sudoku”

present a unique and less - explored variation of the traditional Sudoku puzzle.

While standard Sudoku follows a square-based structure, Triangular Sudoku

introduces new mathematical challenges, such as different adjacency rules,

unique constraints systems and alternative combinatorial patterns. Investigating

strategies, and logical structures than can deepen our understanding of number

placement puzzles.

This study will benefit math enthusiast by expanding their appreciation of

combinatorial mathematics and logic puzzles.By analyzing the mathematical

properties of Triangular Sudoku, we can introduce fresh perspectives on pattern

recognition, logical deduction, and constraint satisfaction problems. Additionally

this research may inspire further studies on non-traditional Sudoku variants,

providing new challenges for puzzle designers and solvers alike. Ultimately our

work aims to enrich the mathematical community’s understanding of how

geometric structures influence problem solving approaches.

This opens up a world of possibilities. Imagine a triangular Sudoku,

where the regions are formed by interlocking triangular Sudoku, built on a

triangular grid with triangular regions. The challenge increases exponentially with

the complexity of the shape and the size of the grid. The core logic remains the

same, but the spatial reasoning required to solve these non-standard Sudoku

puzzles takes on a whole new dimension, demanding a higher level of strategic

thinking and visual acuity. Whether you're a Sudoku veteran or a curious

newcomer, exploring these variations offers a fresh and engaging way to

experience the timeless appeal of this numerical brain teaser.

1. Find out how Sudoku works into the equilateral triangle.

2. Find out how Sudoku rules changes when played within equilateral triangle

shape.

3. Examine if this version is easier or harder than the normal Sudoku.

4. Use math (graph theory) to study number placement.

ANALYSIS

ILLUSTRATION 1: ORIGINAL CLASSIC SUDOKU PUZZLE

properties of unsolved puzzles (such as the minimum possible number of given

clues) and analyzing the properties of solved puzzles.

Classic Sudoku Puzzle requires the player to add numbers 1 to 9 to grid in

every row column without repetition. Understanding the rules, solving techniques,

and mathematical properties of the puzzle, including the number of possible

solutions and clues needed for a unique solution. Progressing to these puzzle will

require students to practice mathematical analysis, focusing on counting possible

solutions given initial values presented on the grid.

ILLUSTRATION 2: FINAL DESIGN FOR TRIANGULAR SUDOKU PUZZLE

grid is triangular instead of square. The rules are similar to traditional Sudoku,

but with a few distinct differences in terms of structure and puzzle-solving

strategies.

In the case of the solver, the goal is to design an algorithm that can

accurately and quickly identify the numbers in the Sudoku puzzle, and then solve

the puzzle using established Sudoku-solving techniques. This section will outline

the design of the algorithm used in the Sudoku solver, highlighting key steps and

strategies employed to ensure accurate and efficient performance.

MECHANICS OF TRIANGULAR SUDOKU

Triangular Sudoku is a puzzle game where the goal is to fill a 9 by 9 grid

with digits from 1 to 9, such that every row, every column, and each of the nine 3

by 3 sub grids contain all of the digits from 1 to 9, without repetition.

Objective: The main goal is to fill the triangular grid with numbers

according to specific rules and constraints.

Game Mechanics: The puzzle is played on triangle shaped, typically with

9 rows of numbers. Each side of the triangle contains the same number of
spaces. For example a “9-row” triangular grid would have rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7, 8, and 9 cells respectively. The grid consist of 81 cells, forming a triangle.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

 Each number from 1-9 must appear exactly once in each row, columns, and

regions

 Upright triangles in the same row and column must have different numbers

 Inverted triangles in the same row and column must have different numbers

 No number should be repeated diagonally across the grid

 Each region consisting of 9 mini-triangles must contains unique numbers

from 1-9 without repetition

METHODOLOGY

In our proposed approach, seven types of steps and strategies used, (1)

Understand the Rules; (2) Identify the Constraints; (3) Start with Given clues; (4)

Use the process of Elimination; (5) Fill in the Grid Step-by-Step; (6) Check for

Consistency; (7) Practice and Patience.

exactly once in each row, each column, and each diagonal.

(2) Identify the Constraints: Look for rows or columns with only a few

missing numbers, as these are often the easiest to solve. Try to fill in numbers

where there is only one possible value, considering constraints from neighboring

rows, column, and diagonal.

(3) Start with Given clues : The Puzzle will have some numbers already

filled in. Start by placing these given numbers into their appropriate cells on the

grid.

(4) Use the Process of Elimination: If a number cannot be placed in a

certain spot due to the constraints of the puzzle, eliminate it from the possibilities

in that cell. For Example, if a number is placed in one cell, that number cannot

appear again in the same row, column, or diagonal.

(5) Fill in the Grid Step-by Step: A numbers from 1 to 9 must be filled in

every cells with no repeated numbers in each line. Write down in each empty cell

all possible entries that will not contradict the one rule with respect to given cells.

(6) Check for Consistency: The puzzle is based on triangular grid and

each cell must contain number from 1 to 9. Each row must contain unique

numbers. The diagonal of the triangle must also follow the rule of containing

unique numbers.

(7) Practice and Patience: Triangular Sudoku can be tricky. The more you

practice, the better you’ll get. Patience is the key in Sudoku. If you make a
mistake, go back and check your work. Sometimes, a small error early on can

throw off the entire puzzle. Keep practicing and you’ll see progress.

SAMPLING

Our research employed convenience sampling method for our study,

meaning we’ll be choosing our participants by their easy accessibility and

availability. This sampling method was chosen because we all know that all the

third-year students are hectic and overwhelmed at their course, it will be a

voluntary or convenience sampling. Our participants are the third-year

mathematics students in PSU-Sta. Maria campus and we’ll be selecting 10

participants to play and try the triangular-shape sudoku within 10-15 minutes.
REFERENCES

https%3A%2F%2F2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication

%2F376566206_Sudoku_Solver_A_Comparative_Study_of_Different_Algorithms

_and_Image_Processing_Techniques%2Freferences%3Ffbclid

%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3zCvdh2U-

EnF1y7FY6Wk26qtuEYolZOClsWOA8O1kJTeH15qhBFDsNtiY_aem_5Ba_Hthm

U-

Xm38LkTqp7eg&h=AT2knf1D1vTZKnc8VdvVwQ9YvZxaXkTqLPzQ50Ty5VeEQ

DeiD-

kh_APeBwliJ3ClHyNfha7SQVts8BzrRf5beGO3F12SzMpcWbyRcB7xMdyNpAkW

4YFWHQu0O-ah6rM

Encyclopidea Brritannica. (n.d). Sudoku. Encyclopedia Britanica.

https//www.britanica.com/topic/sudoku

Hira, S., Bhagwatkar, N., Agrawal, K., & Loya, N. (2023). Sudoku Solver: A

comperative study of different algorithms and image processing techniques [Shri

Ramdeoba College of Engineering and Management].

https://doi.org/10.3233/ATDE231062