shikaku puzzle books: how to solve, beginner to advanced rules, strategies, create, publish and sell on KDP

This is a how to article by Saffron

table of contents

  1. how to solve shikaku puzzles
  2. detailed explanation of the rules of shikaku puzzles
  3. tips and tricks on how to quickly solve shikaku puzzles
  4. advanced strategies for solving shikaku puzzles
  5. how to make money with shikaku puzzle books
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how to solve shikaku puzzles

Shikaku puzzles, also known as Rectangles or Divide by Squares, involve dividing a grid into rectangles, each containing a number indicating its area. The goal is to fill the grid with non-overlapping rectangles that satisfy the given area constraints. Here's a detailed explanation of how to tackle printable KDP Shikaku puzzle books for adults:

1. Understand the Basics:

The puzzle consists of a rectangular grid.What's more, Numbers within the grid represent the areas of the rectangles. Finally, Rectangles must be non-overlapping and cover the entire grid.

2. Examine the Numbers:

Start by examining the numbers in the grid. Each number represents the area of a rectangle.What's more, Identify the largest numbers first, as they will guide the placement of larger rectangles.

3. Use the Grid Size:

Consider the overall size of the grid. Smaller grids may have smaller rectangles, while larger grids allow for larger rectangles.

4. Work with the Edges:

If a number is located near the edge of the grid, it limits the possible directions for the rectangle. Use this information to your advantage.

5. Divide and Conquer:

Begin with the largest numbers and try to place rectangles of the corresponding size. This often involves dividing the grid strategically.

6. Look for Obvious Placements:

Some rectangles may have only one possible placement. Identify and fill these first to narrow down possibilities for adjacent rectangles.

7. Eliminate Possibilities:

As you place rectangles, eliminate possibilities for adjacent rectangles based on the filled areas. This helps in resolving this KDP logic based puzzle step by step.

8. Consider Grid Symmetry:

If the puzzle exhibits symmetry, use it to your advantage. Placing rectangles symmetrically can simplify the solving process.

9. Be Mindful of Empty Spaces:

Ensure that no empty spaces are left in the grid, and all areas are covered by rectangles. The entire grid should be filled.

10. Trial and Error:

In more challenging puzzles, trial and error may be necessary. Be willing to backtrack if a placement leads to a contradiction.

11. Practice:

Like any puzzle, practice is key to improving. Solve Shikaku puzzles regularly to enhance your pattern recognition and deduction skills.

Remember, solving Shikaku puzzles is a gradual process that requires logical thinking and strategic planning. With practice, you'll develop a knack for efficiently dividing the grid into rectangles based on the provided clues.

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the rules of shikaku puzzles

The goal is to fill the entire grid with non-overlapping rectangles while satisfying the given area constraints. Here's a detailed explanation of the rules of KDP Shikaku puzzle books:

1. Grid Structure:

Shikaku puzzles are played on a rectangular grid. Also, The grid consists of cells that need to be filled with rectangles.

2. Numbers in Cells:

Some cells in the grid contain a single number. Also, Each number represents the area of a rectangle that must cover that cell.

3. No Overlapping:

Rectangles must not overlap with each other. Also, Only one rectangle is allowed to cover each cell.

4. Area Constraint:

The number in a cell indicates the area of the rectangle that must cover that cell. Also, The area is the product of the rectangle's length and width.

5. Rectangle Formation:

Rectangles are formed by connecting adjacent cells horizontally or vertically. Moreover, Rectangles cannot contain empty cells, and they must have straight sides.

6. Whole Grid Coverage:

The objective is to cover the entire grid with rectangles. Moreover, Every cell should be part of a rectangle, and there should be no unused cells.

7. Variety in Sizes:

Shikaku puzzles may have a variety of rectangle sizes. Moreover, The numbers in the cells vary, indicating the different areas of the rectangles.

8. Logical Deduction:

Solving the puzzle requires logical deduction and careful consideration of the given numbers. Moreover, Deduce where larger rectangles must be placed and where smaller ones fit.

9. Symmetry (Optional):

Some Shikaku puzzles may have a symmetry rule, meaning that if you place a rectangle in a certain position, there must be a symmetrical placement elsewhere.

10. Trial and Error (Advanced):

While basic Shikaku puzzles can be solved through deduction, more advanced puzzles may require some trial and error. However, this should be used sparingly, and contradictions should be avoided.

Remember that Shikaku puzzles are designed to challenge your logical reasoning and spatial visualization skills.

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advanced strategies for solving shikaku puzzles

Advanced strategies for solving Shikaku puzzles involve honing your logical deduction skills and adopting more complex techniques. Here are some advanced strategies to tackle challenging math based Shikaku puzzle books:

1. Overlay Analysis:

When you encounter an intersecting region of two or more rectangles, analyze the overlapping cells to deduce possible rectangle configurations.

2. Clue Relationships:

Pay attention to the relationships between adjacent numbered cells. For example, if two adjacent cells have the numbers 2 and 3, consider how the corresponding rectangles can be arranged to meet both requirements.

3. Empty Cell Consideration:

Identify cells that cannot be part of any rectangle based on their position relative to the numbers. This can help in placing rectangles more efficiently.

4. Divide and Conquer:

Divide the puzzle into smaller sections, focusing on solving each section independently. This can make the overall solving process more manageable.

5. Recursive Techniques:

Adopt recursive solving techniques by making assumptions in certain areas and analyzing the consequences. If a contradiction is reached, backtrack and try an alternative approach.

6. Symmetry Exploitation:

If the puzzle has a symmetry rule, leverage it to deduce the placement of rectangles more efficiently.

7. Area Ratio Analysis:

Examine the ratio of areas in adjacent numbered cells. If one area is a multiple of the other, it can provide clues about rectangle configurations.

8. Boundary Analysis:

Focus on the puzzle's boundaries and use them to limit the possible placements of rectangles. This can help in determining the rectangles' sizes and positions.

9. Advanced Logic Grid Techniques:

Apply advanced logic grid solving techniques, such as subsets, exclusion, and uniqueness principles, to deduce the placement of rectangles.

10. Coloring (Optional):

Use different colors or shading to mark potential areas for rectangles. This can aid in visualizing possibilities and eliminating conflicting options.

11. Advanced Symmetry (Optional):

For puzzles with advanced symmetry rules, explore symmetrical relationships in greater depth, considering multiple layers of symmetry.

Remember, advanced strategies often involve a combination of these techniques. Developing a systematic and patient approach to solving Shikaku puzzles will enhance your problem-solving skills and lead to more efficient solutions for complex puzzles.

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how to make money with shikaku puzzle books

Simplifying the generation of puzzle books compatible with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in PDF format, our online puzzle creator specializes in crafting shikaku puzzle books.

To fashion a puzzle book exclusively featuring shikakus, follow these steps:

  1. Select the shikaku puzzle type within the app.
  2. Input your puzzle book details, specifying the desired number of pages and manuscript dimensions.
  3. Click the "Generate" button and patiently await completion of the generation process.

Avoid closing the tab during generation. If delays or errors occur, initiate the regeneration process, typically linked to the hosting provider in app development.

Our puzzle book creator employs a distinctive pricing structure, rejecting monthly or yearly subscriptions in favor of a flat rate per manuscript.

After generation, the system furnishes a watermarked preview copy, enabling users to assess and test the puzzle book across platforms for acceptability.

Content users can proceed with a one-time payment of $5 to acquire a watermark-free full manuscript.

This pricing strategy seeks to offer a fair and transparent cost, steering clear of recurring fees for users exploring the service's full utility. The $5 fee is considered reasonable, factoring in time and potential cost savings.

"-to your success"