LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #85 Solution Guide – %age Play, November 4, 2025

Welcome to today’s step-by-step guide for solving the 6x6 Sudoku puzzle, published on November 4, 2025, as part of the LinkedIn Mini Sudoku series. This puzzle, titled %age Play, challenges your logic and number placement skills. Let’s walk through each step to fill the grid using only the rules of Sudoku: each row, column, and 2x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 6 exactly once.

Starting the Puzzle

Here’s the initial grid:

3 5 . . . 6
4 1 . . 5 .
. . . 4 . .
. . 3 . . .
. 2 . . 3 1
1 . . . 6 4

Step 1: Fill in the Obvious Singles

Begin by scanning each row, column, and box for cells that can only be one number. For example, look at the first row: 3, 5, _, _, _, 6. The missing numbers are 1, 2, and 4. Check the columns and box to see where these can go.

In the first row, the last cell is already 6, so the remaining blanks must be 1, 2, and 4. Now, check the columns above each blank. The second column already has a 1 and 5, so the first row, second column cannot be 1. The third column has no 1 yet, so 1 could go there. Continue this process for each cell.

Step 2: Use Box Constraints

Focus on the top-left 2x3 box. It already has 3, 5, 4, and 1. The missing numbers are 2 and 6. The only empty cells in this box are in the first row, third and fourth columns. Check the columns: the third column already has a 4, so 6 cannot go there. Therefore, 6 must go in the first row, fourth column, and 2 in the first row, third column.

Step 3: Complete Rows and Columns

Now, look at the second row: 4, 1, _, _, 5, _. The missing numbers are 2, 3, and 6. The second column already has a 1, 2, and 5, so the second row, second column cannot be 2 or 5. The only possibility is 3. Fill in 3 in the second row, second column.

Continue this process for each row and column. For example, in the fifth row: _, 2, _, _, 3, 1. The missing numbers are 4, 5, and 6. The second column already has a 2, so the fifth row, second column cannot be 2. The only possibility is 4, 5, or 6. Check the columns and box to narrow it down.

Step 4: Use Hidden Singles

Hidden singles occur when a number can only go in one cell in a row, column, or box. For example, in the third row, look for a number that can only go in one place. The third row has _, _, _, 4, _, _. The missing numbers are 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Check each column and box to see where these can go.

Continue this process for each row, column, and box. For example, in the fourth row: _, _, 3, _, _, _. The missing numbers are 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Check the columns and box to see where these can go.

Step 5: Finalize the Grid

As you fill in more cells, the puzzle becomes easier. Use the process of elimination to fill in the remaining cells. For example, in the sixth row: 1, _, _, _, 6, 4. The missing numbers are 2, 3, and 5. Check the columns and box to see where these can go.

Continue this process until the entire grid is filled. Each step should be based on the rules of Sudoku: no repeats in rows, columns, or boxes.

Conclusion

Solving a 6x6 Sudoku puzzle like today’s %age Play challenge requires careful attention to detail and logical reasoning. By following these steps, you can confidently complete the puzzle and improve your skills for future challenges. Remember to check each row, column, and box for hidden singles and use the process of elimination to fill in the blanks.

For more daily solutions and tips, visit our solution page.

Keywords: 6x6 Sudoku, LinkedIn Mini Sudoku, %age Play, November 4 2025, Sudoku solution, daily puzzle, Sudoku tips, Sudoku guide