LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #195 (Top) Solution Guide

Today's LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #195, labeled "Top," is a thrilling 6x6 logic puzzle. Fill the grid so each row, column, and 2x3 box contains digits 1-6 exactly once. Here's the starting grid with clues:

We'll solve it step by step, explaining the logic for each placement. Focus on fullest rows, columns, and boxes first, then eliminate possibilities.

Step 1: Analyze Box 1 (Top-Left 2x3)

Box 1 has clues: row1-col3=3. Row 3-col1=1. Possible numbers: 1-6. 1 and 3 used. Scan column 1: row3 has 1, row6 has 3, so no 1 or 3 in row1-col1 or row2-col1. Row 2-col2=2 blocks 2 in row2-col1. Column 3 has 3 in row1, so check row1 possibilities.

Row 1: has 3 (col3), 2 (col6). Missing 1,4,5,6. Column 1 can't have 1 (row3), 3 (row6). Box 1 row1: only spots col1,2. Try 5 in row1-col1: no 5 in row1, col1 (open), box1 (open).

Step 2: Place First Numbers in Row 1

• Row1-col1: 5. Why? Col1 misses 5 (blocks:1 row3,3 row6, others open but box1 needs it uniquely after scans).
• Row1-col2: 1. Row1 now has 5,3,2; misses 1,4,6. Col2 has row2-2, row5-6; can't 2,6. Box1 can't repeat 5,3. 1 fits (no 1 in col2 or box1 yet).
• Row1-col4: 6. Row1 misses 4,6. Col4 open except row6-4. Box2 (row1 col4-6) has row1-col3=3,col6=2; 6 fits.
• Row1-col5: 4. Last for row1: 4.

Row 1 now: 5,1,3,6,4,2.

Step 3: Fill Row 2 Using New Clues

Row 2: col2=2, col5=1. Now col1 open (box1), col3,4,6 open (box2). Row1 above blocks 5,1,3,6,4,2—all! Wait, no: row2 independent but columns block.

• Row2-col1: 6. Box1: row1 has 5,1; row3 has1; row2 col2=2. Col1 blocks 5(row1),1(row3),3(row6). Misses 4,6; but box1 needs 4,6. Row2 misses from clues.
• Row2-col3: 4. Col3: row1=3. Box2 row1:3,6,4,2 wait updating.
• Continue: Row2-col4=3, col6=5. Logic: column6 row1=2, row2 can't 2,1(col5), etc. Full row2: 6,2,4,3,1,5.

Step 4: Row 3 and Box 2

Row 3: col1=1. Col2 open. Now col1 row1=5,row2=6,row3=1,row6=3; col2 row1=1,row2=2,row5=6.

• Row3-col2: 3. No 3 in row3, col2 (blocks1 row1,2 row2,6 row5), box1 (has5,1 row1;6,2 row2;1 row3-col1).
• Row3-col3: 6. Box2 row1 full 3,6,4,2? Row1 col3-6:3,6,4,2. Row2 col3-6:4,3,1,5. So box2 row3 col3-6 misses numbers.
• Row3-col4=5, col5=2, col6=4. Full: 1,3,6,5,2,4.

Step 5: Lower Boxes - Rows 4-6

Box 4 (rows4-6, col1-3): clues row4-col6=6 (box6), row5 col2=6,col5=5 (box5), row6 col1=3,col4=4 (box5).

• Row4-col1: 2. Col1 full top:5,6,1; bottom row5 open, row6=3. Box4 needs 1-6; 3 used row6-col1,6 row5-col2.
• Row4-col2: 4. Col2:1r1,2r2,3r3,6r5; misses4,5. Box4 fits4.
• Row4-col3: 5, col4=1, col5=3, col6=6 given. Full row4: 2,4,5,1,3,6.

Step 6: Final Rows 5 and 6

• Row5: col2=6, col5=5. Col1 misses4 (from top1,5,6,3row6? Updates: col1 row4=2, so row5-col1=4.
• Row5-col3: 1. Box4 row4=2,4,5; row6=3; row5 col1=4,col2=6; col3=1 (misses1).
• Row5-col4: 2, col6=3. Full: 4,6,1,2,5,3.
• Row6: col1=3, col4=4. Remaining: col2=5 (col2 full:1,2,3r3,4r4,6r5), col3=2, col5=6, col6=1. Full: 3,5,2,4,6,1.

Grid complete! Each row, column, and 2x3 box has 1-6 uniquely. Practice scanning for singles and eliminations to speed up future puzzles like this LinkedIn Mini Sudoku.

Check the solution page to verify your grid.