Hints
Hints
This section will explain how, in short, to solve some of the puzzles. You will find the basic ideas of the puzzles.
1. Organize yourself with each puzzle. If you don't, you may not be able to succeed in the higher levels. One way is to make a chart, with all the letters on one side and the numbers that they might equal on the other. Ex.
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0 |
1 |
2 |
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A |
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B |
2. The more letters there are, the harder it is. This means you need to look at clues to lead you to the correct answer. In a way, every statement is a clue. The more obvious ones are found in subtraction, such as T - Y = F. This then means that T is bigger than Y and F (unless negatives are included, which is rare and you would be told). At the same time, when added together, Y and F must equal T. Another easy one is S + S = O. S is half of O, and O is an even number. This is because both even and odd numbers, when added to themselves, will equal an even number: 1 + 1 = 2, 4 + 4 = 8. 2 and 8 are both even numbers. Beware the negative puzzles though, since they twist everything around.
3. If you find yourself stuck on level 1, you may want to reread the above clues. ALL PUZZLES ARE POSSIBLE. NO GUESSING REQUIRED. You should study the puzzle called 'Easily Done' by looking at the reasoning provided. The reasoning shown is how you need to think to solve these puzzles.
4. When hint #1 said organize, it meant organize! Try putting them in groups and/or related numbers. If you're still stuck, guessing is another tactic that may work - just beware that if you don't record your guesses properly you may find yourself stuck on an equation that doesn't work! If you find this, you will know that one of your answers are wrong. Ex. A + A = B, B - C = D, C + A = D. If B = 10, then A = 5. If you were to guess that D = 6, then C would equal 1 (D - A or 6 - 5 = C, or 1), and B - C = D would mean 10 - 6 = 4, which is not equal to what we guessed D would be. If B = 10, A = 5. B - C = D and C + A = D. C has to equal 2.5, and D: 7.5. Don't worry, decimals are rare in puzzles.
5. If you want more information or are still stuck with solving the puzzles, try going to the section PART ANSWERS, PART NOT. They are just that - it may answer a few questions, but they aren't exactly answers to puzzles you'll find on this site. It demonstrates how the puzzles are made, which can help improve one's strategy.