KENKEN is the Ultimate Math Puzzle Challenge
Sudoku-Like Arithmetic Game Teaches Computation Skills
Feb 12, 2009
What better way to enhance math computation skills than engaging children in a fun puzzle game? The hottest math game since Sudoku, KENKEN has just recently been added as a daily brainteaser to the New York Times printed newspaper.
According to the February 8, 2009 New York Times article entitled, “A New Puzzle Challenges Math Skills” by Will Shortz, two new KENKEN puzzles with varying degrees of difficulty will be offered daily in the paper (except on Sundays).
What is KENKEN?
Japanese math educator Tetsuya Miyamoto created KENKEN math puzzles for his students as part of an innovative teaching philosophy that includes exam-free education and what Miyamoto describes as “the art of teaching without teaching”, says Shortz. Nearly all of Miyamoto's students have gone on to outperform their peers in the country’s very popular “Math Olympics” competition.
The addictive puzzles contain a grid of squares varying in size from 3x3 to the super challenging 9x9. Similar to Sudoku, the single digits from one to the total number of squares along a row or column need to be filled into each space and not repeated. As an example, in a 3x3 grid, the numbers one, two, and three would need to appear once in each row and column.
The mathematical twist to KENKEN is that there is a target number that must be produced with the operation that is provided within each bolded set of squares in the puzzle, called “cages”. The target number and the operation are usually listed in each cage, for example, “20x” would mean that the numbers in the cage would have to be multiplied to equal 20.
In the easier grid puzzles, if an operation is not listed it is assumed to be addition. However, it is possible to create a KENKEN puzzle by omitting the operation for an even more difficult math challenge.
Tips for Playing KENKEN
KENKEN can become tricky very quickly, but there are a few basic rules to follow that will help the player to ultimately solve the math problem. Here they are:
- Fill in any cages containing only a single square.
- If a cage contains multiple squares, fill in the ones with which there is only one possible solution.
- For cages that may have multiple solutions, list out the solutions and see what might make sense.
- Digits can repeat as long as they are not in the same row or column.
- Order of subtraction or division does not matter.
- Look for the rows/columns with only one number left to fill.
Where to Find KENKEN Math Puzzles
One can find many examples of KENKEN puzzles along with their solutions on the Internet. At KENKEN, one can find math puzzles and solutions for free. Here, teachers and math puzzle enthusiasts can play KENKEN online or register to receive free printable KENKEN puzzles via email. One can also find the daily KENKEN puzzles at the New York Times online website or at Miyamoto-Puzzle.
Introduce a new and exciting way to improve math abilities to children by printing out some KENKEN puzzles for the classroom or at home. Slowly increase the challenge as they master each grid level and watch their enthusiasm for math blossom!
For other ideas to enhance children's math skills, try playing one of these educational math board games, or make up fun math activities at home with food or other items on hand.
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