GridWits
Expert tier Technique 14 of 20 Used by Smart Hint

Arrangement Check (Wide)

The same fit-the-cells check on a run offering four to six combinations — enough that you have to write them out and cross off rather than compare them in your head.

How it works

  1. 1Three cells sum to 10: the combinations are 1+2+7, 1+3+6, 1+4+5 and 2+3+5.
  2. 2Each right-hand cell heads a 3-in-two down run, whose only combination is 1+2 — so between them those two cells can supply nothing but a 1 and a 2.
  3. 3Adding up isn't enough: the combination has to be dealt out one digit per cell. 1+3+6, 1+4+5 and 2+3+5 each strand a digit with no cell that will take it once the left cell has had its share.
  4. 4Only 1+2+7 can be arranged, so the left cell is 7.
  5. 5Four combinations is the wide case — enough that you write them out and cross off rather than compare them in your head.
3 3 10 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
  • Cells that establish the pattern
  • Where the conclusion lands
  • Digit ruled out
Next in the ladder Surface Sum →

Two overlapping groups of runs differ by exactly one cell — subtracting their clue totals determines that cell's digit outright.