Hidden Patterns
(Published on 25. January 2025, 03:13 by PhoenixAki)
- Normal sudoku rules apply. Place the digits 1-9 in each row, column, and 3x3 box without repetition.
- XV: Digits separated by an X sum to 10. Digits separated by a V sum to 5. All X's and V's are given.
- Dutch Whispers: Adjacent digits on an orange line must have a difference of at least 4.
- Consecutive Pairs: Digits separated by a white dot must be consecutive.
To increase accessibility to my puzzles, I include hints in my LMD posts and also post solution videos on my YouTube channel. I hope these help you solve the puzzles if you are struggling :)
Hint 1: The V clue in R1C1 and the V clue in R4C3 force the pattern of lows and highs on the Dutch whisper line in box 1. How must the Dutch whisper be filled now?
Hint 2: Once you pencilmark the X's and V's after resolving the whisper line, there should be a sneaky pair of digits in column 2 that resolves most of the rest of the clues in column 2.
Hint 3: Don't forget the negative constraint! There's a lot of spots you can use it at, so always be looking for cases where 2 digits could add up to 5 or 10 without a V or X there.
Solution code: Row 7, from left to right (9 digits)
Comments
on 12. January 2026, 01:55 by PhoenixAki
Added hints after learning recently how to do that in HTML. Wish I knew this last week when I went over all my posts...oh well.
on 4. January 2026, 19:03 by PhoenixAki
Updated post as part of an effort to improve consistency of rule phrasing and post layout across all my puzzles. Similar edits will come to my other puzzles soon™
on 29. November 2025, 18:02 by e401
Did Phoenix mention all Xs and Vs are given. (-:
on 13. August 2025, 06:41 by dajoey
first time to seeing such well constructed digit patterns, makes me laugh so hard when i realize it :D
on 8. July 2025, 14:09 by ACK
Great Puzzle, not sure I see the patterns just yet but going to have another look.
on 16. April 2025, 01:07 by snafflebix
I thought I found the patterns first, but wanted to challenge myself to do it logically. Nice one!
on 4. April 2025, 19:57 by PhoenixAki
added link to newest puzzle
on 11. March 2025, 10:38 by PhoenixAki
updated puzzle post format to match my other puzzles
on 26. February 2025, 14:15 by kopo1
Oh man. I was so stuck at the end. Then I read the rules and missed that all the Vs and Xs were given!
D'oh. :D
on 11. February 2025, 16:34 by PatMac
Despite the bold lettering about the negative constraint on Xs and Vs, it didn’t sink in until I could not resolve the last 10%. Then I reread the rules and had a fun finish.
Nice puzzle.
on 29. January 2025, 22:15 by dzamie
A nice little 5-minute puzzle. Took me a bit to see the patterns after finishing, though.
on 29. January 2025, 19:13 by wuc
Great snack for a speedrun thx.
on 27. January 2025, 05:26 by Azukay
Nice fun puzzle, enjoyable solve
on 26. January 2025, 09:39 by Mozart40
I don't know why, but I offen struggle with XV puzzles. But even I managed this one and it was fun.
on 26. January 2025, 04:37 by cozoq
Nice puzzle!
Note the V/X negative constraint!
on 26. January 2025, 03:47 by Ganbatte
I needed this true one-star puzzle because I was struggling with a different one-star puzzle. There’s quite a range! Thank you.
on 25. January 2025, 23:56 by SanFranSam
i wouldn't worry about it being too easy. took me 40+ minutes. and every time i thought i had the final break to make it all collapse i had to go looking for another one. good puzzle. but then any puzzle i finish is a good one. :)
on 25. January 2025, 09:52 by AlSina
Nice Pattern!
