Suko

Suko is a fantastic math puzzle that encourages children to practice problem-solving, logic, and reasoning by working with numbers. It’s engaging, challenging, and helps students strengthen their arithmetic skills while having fun.

Aim of the Game:

The goal is to place the digits 1-9 into a grid of squares, making sure that the numbers in the squares surrounding each circle total the number in the circle.

What You Need:

• Printable Suko grids – you can download some from my website here.
• Digits 1-9 (written or cut out on paper, or use a pen to write them in)
• Pencil and eraser (as you might need to adjust your numbers while solving the puzzle)

How to Play:

1. Set Up:
   • You’ll have a 3×3 grid of squares with some circles on the intersections of the squares. Inside each circle, there will be a target number.
   • The task is to fill the 9 squares surrounding the circles using the digits 1 to 9—and you can only use each digit once.
2. Placing the Numbers:
   • For each circle, the four numbers in the squares surrounding it must add up to the total written inside the circle.
   • Start by looking at the circle with the lowest total or the one where you can easily think of number combinations.
   • For example, if a circle has a total of 17, you might decide that 7, 5, 3, and 2 are good choices because they add up to 17.
3. Adjust and Solve:
   • Once you’ve placed some numbers, check the remaining circles. Do the numbers you’ve already used fit with the other totals?
   • Keep adjusting the numbers and trying different combinations until all the totals around each circle are correct.
4. Winning the Game:
   • The puzzle is complete when all 9 squares are filled with the digits 1-9, and all the totals around the circles match the numbers inside the circles.

Extra Challenges:

• Create Your Own Suko Grid: Once you understand how the game works, challenge your students to create their own Suko puzzles by choosing their own target numbers for the circles and finding unique combinations.
• Time Challenge: See how quickly students can complete a Suko puzzle, either individually or in teams, to add an extra level of excitement.

Educational Benefits:

• Problem Solving: Students need to think critically about which number combinations will work.
• Logic and Reasoning: The game helps develop logic as students must adjust their guesses based on the remaining numbers and totals.
• Math Skills: Suko promotes mental math and basic arithmetic skills, especially addition and subtraction.

Suko is a great way to build logic, number sense, and teamwork, making it a valuable addition to any math classroom or learning environment.