RAT RUN 27: Productivity
(Published today, 01:01 by marty_sears)
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- AIM OF EXPERIMENT: Finkz and Phinx must both reach different cupcakes by finding a path through the maze. The paths must not visit any cell more than once, cross themselves or each other, or pass through any thick maze walls.
- As well as moving orthogonally, they may move diagonally if there's a 2x2 space in which to do so, but may never pass diagonally through a round wall-spot on the corner of a cell.
- GOLDENBERRIES: If two digits are joined by a goldenberry, they are NOT consecutive.
- TEST CONSTRAINT: In this experiment, both paths are divided into segments by 3x3 box borders. Along a path, the digits on each segment have the same product (the result of multiplying the digits on the segment together.) This product may be different for Finkz and Phinx. Note: if a segment contains only one cell, that digit is considered to be the product.
Solution code: Digits unvisited by either rat in row 3, from left to right
Comments
today, 19:54 by Nairurian
Very fun, but considering I’m really bad at maths, it definitely wasn’t smooth for me (it took me over 2h).
today, 19:32 by vitaminz
Surprised and delighted to get a puzzle like this from you. Like I imagine of the rats, I often felt trapped, finding no obvious way to make progress. But with some determination I was able to get to proverbial cupcake.
today, 16:11 by GeorgeTheToad2
Not too hard for a mathematician but very enjoyable.
today, 13:59 by Tortugo
I was feeling pretty smug having solved one path in about 15 minutes; not so smug almost an hour later having made almost no more progress.
Great puzzle as always.
today, 13:53 by Franjo
Figuring out how the second path could work was quite challenging, but I enjoyed solving this puzzle so much! So, again thank you so much for creating and sharing another beautiful episode.
today, 13:20 by mscha
Difficulty: 2 stars. For Phinx.
4 stars for Finkz.
Very nice, of course; that is a given for a Rat Run. :-)
today, 11:26 by Christounet
My brain experienced a productivity failure while I was trying to process the factors options. Until I eventually recovered and asked the right questions. Enjoyed the workout! Thanks :)
today, 05:53 by antiknight
Amazing and surprising deductions in this one! Great puzzle
today, 04:25 by halfcentaur
Another outstanding addition to the greatest Sudoku series of all time! This was challenging, lots of math with the factors, but the logic flows beautifully.
today, 03:53 by ArmagedDan
I usually struggle a bit with these ones, but I found the break-in pretty much straight away. Very nice puzzle, love the way the paths were pushed through the maze.
today, 03:32 by chinesemaster
One tricky point mid-solve, the rest is smooth like butter! Thanks so much for yet another brilliancy!
today, 02:45 by QuiltyAsCharged
This chapter is understated, with open spaces and much for the solver to discover. A good and robust challenge!
today, 02:45 by Atticus837
Found this one harder than most, but it's a really interesting one. Lots of mental work on the factors to find the ways the lines can multiply out.
I'm earlier to this one than usual too it seems...
Great puzzle!
today, 01:03 by sujoyku
I found this one very hard, but what a fantastic challenge it was. Thank you for this superb puzzle, Marty!
