For those of you who don't know what KenKen is, it's a number puzzle, with math involved. You can try out some puzzles at
http://www.kenken.com/ to get a feel for them. Here you have
12 4×4 KenKen puzzles,
8 6×6 KenKen puzzles, and 2 mighty
8×8 KenKen puzzles.
First of all, what is KenKen? It is a puzzle somewhat akin to Sudoku, and a Japanese number puzzle. It’s excellent for learning the basics of math. “KenKen” comes from “Ken,” which is Japanese for “wisdom.” “KenKen” effectively means “wisdom squared.”
How does it work? Ftue. Like Sudoku, no number can repeat in a row or column, but unlike Sudoku, there are no boxes/regions, and basic arithmetic is involved. The black lines outline what are called cages. At the top of each cage is a number and an arithmetic operation (be it addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division… nothing more complicated than the Na’vi might use). All numbers in a given cage, when put through the given arithmetic operation for that cage in any order, must equal the number for the given cage. So for example, a 2-cell cage with a small 5+ in the upper-left corner can only have 1 and 4, or 2 and 3, since those 2 numbers add up to 5.
One more thing: this isn’t your traditional KenKen. The numbers use an octal base, just as the Na’vi do. Additionally, for single-celled cages, you have to translate the Na’vi word into a number (such cages/cells are called “freebies” since only one number is allowed in that cage).
I challenge you to try these puzzles without using a calculator, and thinking in base 8 (although the last 2 puzzles may need a calculator). I also recommend taking notes of what combinations are possible for a given cage. They will be useful.
Etrìpa syayvi, ulte livu ngaru tì’o’!
Good practice for working with octal numbers
Regarding the solutions, I haven't actually tested these puzzles (hence no solutions pages), but do expect them to be single solution. Rutxe lemme know if you find multiple solutions for any of the KenKen puzzles.
