How to Solve Logic Games

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How to Solve Logic Games

• Mimi Opkins
• CECS 100

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Types of logic games

• The types of logic games are numerous.
• There are the logic puzzles that usually include
  a set of clues and you have to determine several
  certain things from the clues such as several
  people, the meal they ate and the job they did.
• Other times, logic games come in the form of
  syllogisms and Sudoku.
• Logic puzzles can be maddening.
• The clues can be seemingly vague and even
  misleading, making the puzzle difficult.
• A process for solving logic games can make all
  the difference

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Syllogism

• In logic, a form of deductive reasoning
  consisting of a major premise, a minor premise,
  and a conclusion.
• Here is an example of a valid syllogism
• Major premise All mammals are
  warm-blooded.Minor premise All black dogs are
  mammals.Conclusion Therefore, all black dogs
  are warm-blooded.

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Sudoko

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Sudoku

• Sudoku puzzles are solved in much the same way,
  only you are using numbers to fill in the areas.
• As you pencil in a number into an area, jot down
  the numbers that are left in the sequence for
  each row and column
• That way, you can use deductive reasoning as you
  solve the puzzle.

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Deductive reasoning

• Deductive reasoning, also called deductive logic,
  is reasoning which constructs or evaluates
  deductive arguments.
• Deductive reasoning is a method of gaining
  knowledge.
• Deductive arguments are attempts to show that a
  conclusion necessarily follows from a set of
  premises or hypotheses.

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Deductive reasoning

• A deductive argument is valid if the conclusion
  does follow necessarily from the premises, i.e.,
  if the conclusion must be true provided that the
  premises are true.
• A deductive argument is sound if it is valid and
  its premises are true.

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Soduko

• Some computer Sudoku games will give you your
  options for each cell.
• This can be quite helpful.
• The only drawback is that you pretty much have to
  keep in your mind what your options are for each
  cell.
• It helps to have a pen and paper nearby so that
  you can make notes.

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Stick with it

• Sudoku puzzles force you to think on several
  different scales.
• You have to consider the immediate square that
  contains all 9 numbers.
• In addition, you have to consider each row that
  contains cells from each of the 3 squares across
  as well as each column that contains cells from
  each of the 3 rows down.
• This can seem overwhelming, but if you make notes
  and keep the big picture in mind, you will be
  solving these fun logic puzzles like a pro in no
  time.

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You Tube Videos

• Soduko Tips for Beginners
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vJnEvt20S8c0
• Soduko Tutorial
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v38SrCEj9rscfeature
  related

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Logic Problems
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Logic Puzzles

• Logic puzzles are a great way to keep your brain
  sharp.
• They challenge you to solve a mystery using
  logical analysis, inference and your powers of
  deduction.
• Since we don't all use these skills on a regular
  basis, logic puzzles can be frustrating to solve,
  especially if you're trying to keep it all
  straight in your head.
• There are a couple of tricks to coming up with
  the right solution, including making a chart to
  keep track of the clues.

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Read the puzzle

• Read the puzzle through to get the gist of the
  problem you are trying to solve.
• Logic problems tend to be multi-layered with
  complex clues, which can make it difficult to
  figure out exactly what part of the word problem
  needs to be solved.

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Make a chart

• If your logic puzzle does not offer a chart, you
  will probably want to make one.
• Charts for logic games are usually helpful.
• Name the columns and rows as the information that
  the puzzle wants you to find.
• If you have five girls' names and the puzzle has
  each girl growing a different flower, then put
  the names in the column headings and the flower
  names in the row headings.

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Read the clues

• Read all of your clues of your logic game to get
  a feel for the puzzle.
• Keep your mind tuned to any direct information
  that the clues provide.
• If a clue says that Deborah grew pansies, you
  want to note that tidbit in your chart.
• However, first scan the introduction and the
  clues to see what the logic puzzle is asking and
  how the clues will play out.

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Eliminate your options

• Go back over your logic puzzle introduction and
  clues, placing an X in the box that indicated a
  connection.
• Deborah and pansies would have an X in the box
  that corresponds to those two boxes.
• In each of the remaining boxes--those in the
  Deborah column and the pansy row--place a 0.
• This will help you keep your information straight
  so that you don't accidentally give Deborah a
  pansy and a rose, or give a pansy to one of the
  other girls in your puzzle.
• You will also see that it will narrow your
  choices for certain areas.
• You may find that you actually eliminate options
  as you use the 0's to fill in voided spaces.
• When you have a row or column with all 0's and
  one blank space, you know an X belongs there.

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Analyze each clue

• Your obvious clues will only go so far, then you
  will have to use a little critical thinking to
  complete the puzzle.
• Analyze each clue to discern how it fits into the
  puzzle and where you can put the information to
  solve it.
• If a clue says "Katie is taller that John who is
  shorter than Sue" you know that John is the
  shortest.
• Take it one clue at a time.
• Read and reread through the clues, filling in
  your chart.

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Stick with it

• With logic puzzles, you often have to really
  think through your clues.
• Make notes, use your chart and really think the
  puzzle through.
• You will probably have to read your clues
  multiple times before the logic game is actually
  solved.
• Work between your clues and your chart, deducting
  information as you go and applying what you learn
  from the clues to the puzzle.
• Just slow down and think it through until your
  logic puzzle is solved.

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Making a chart

• Make a chart or grid to help you visualize the
  problem you are solving.
• Such charts are known as "cross-hatch grids" or
  "ABC grids" and have all the pertinent elements
  (names, characteristics, etc.) lined up in rows
  with intersecting boxes.
• As you are making the chart, make sure to read
  each clue slowly to make sure you've included all
  the information and not missed any.

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Re-read the clues

• Re-read the clues to get a sense of the
  syntactical structure of the sentences.
• Often, what isn't said is just as important as
  what is said.
• Take, for example, a logic problem that involves
  a number of people and asks you to determine
  where they all sit in the room.
• A clue that tells you that Mr. X does not sit
  with Mr. Y because Mr. X doesn't like Mr. Y's
  friends not only helps you determine that Mr. X
  and Mr. Y don't sit together, but also helps to
  alert you to clues that mention the names of Mr.
  Y's friends because Mr. X won't sit with them
  either.

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Logic chart
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Solve by elimination

• As you read each clue, cross out the boxes that
  don't fit.
• For instance, a sentence that tells you Mr. Y
  sits in the first seat allows you to determine he
  doesn't sit in Seats B or C.

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Adding to the chart
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Solve by inclusion

• Once you've determined that Mr. X sits in Seat A,
  then you can eliminate that possibility for any
  other person in the problem.
• As you can see, this really narrows down the
  options and helps you work toward a solution.

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Adding to the chart
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You Tube Videos

• How the Grid Works
• http//www.logic-puzzles.org/help1.php
• How to Solve a Puzzle
• http//www.logic-puzzles.org/help2.php

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Create logic puzzles
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Types of Logic Puzzles

• Logic problems can be divided into three types
  mathematical deduction, spatial acuity and
  lateral thinking.
• Mathematical deduction logic puzzles are the most
  basic and can be used to teach logical deduction
  methods.
• Visual logic or spatial acuity puzzles will
  require props to help visualize and solve the
  puzzle.
• Lateral thinking puzzles require creativity to
  solve the puzzle.
• Creating a mathematical logic puzzle requires
  working backward from the solution to create the
  clues for the puzzle and is the simplest logic
  puzzle to create.

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Logic Grid

• Draw a logic grid by drawing five horizontal
  lines and five vertical lines that cross over
  each other to form a grid of boxes 5-by-5.
• Leave enough space to write in the names of the
  variables next to the horizontal and vertical
  axis.

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Variables and Categories

• Choose 10 variables divided into two categories
  to use in the logic puzzle.
• These may be names, colors, animals, locations or
  any other variable desired.
• Write the first five variables next to the
  horizontal rows and the second five variables
  next to the vertical columns.
• For example, the names Alice, Betty, Cathy, Dawn
  and Ellie would be written on the horizontal rows
  while the names ant, butterfly, cat, dog,
  elephant are written on the vertical columns.

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Create the answer

• Create the answer to the puzzle by matching each
  of the variables on the horizontal axis with one
  of the variables on the vertical axis. Do not
  duplicate the matches.
• As an example
• Alice -- elephant
• Betty -- dog
• Cathy -- cat
• Dawn --butterfly
• Ellie -- ant

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Write the clues

• Write the clues for the puzzle so the user will
  need to use logic to determine the correct
  answer.
• Clues can be created as a story, a series of
  true/false statements or a combination of both.
  The following example uses both
• Five friends went the pet store to choose a new
  pet to bring home. The friends' names are Alice,
  Betty, Cathy, Dawn and Ellie. Each girl chose one
  of the following for a pet ant, butterfly, cat,
  dog, or elephant. Use the following clues to
  determine which girl chose which pet.

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• 1. Alice already has a dog.
• 2. Betty is afraid of elephants.
• 3. Cathy chose an animal that starts with the
  same letter as her name
• 4. Dawn loves insects
• 5. Ellie is allergic to fur.
• 6. Dawn didn't choose the ant
• 7. Ellie chose an animal that doesn't start with
  the same letter as her name

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Review and Modify

• Review the clues to the puzzle to verify they
  lead to the correct solution.
• Make changes as needed.