Sudoku Game Simulation Applet Study Guide

Core Concepts

• Sudoku Definition: Understand the fundamental objective and rules of Sudoku as a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. Know the standard grid size (9x9) and the constraints on digit placement within rows, columns, and 3x3 subgrids.
• Combinatorial Puzzle: Recognize that Sudoku's solution relies on the arrangement and combination of numbers following specific rules, leading to a finite number of possible configurations.
• Well-Posed Puzzle: Understand the significance of a Sudoku puzzle having a single, unique solution based on the initial, partially filled grid.
• Grid Structure: Be familiar with the terminology used to describe the Sudoku grid, including rows, columns, 3x3 subgrids (also called boxes, blocks, or regions).
• Digit Constraints: Know that each row, each column, and each 3x3 subgrid must contain all digits from 1 to 9 exactly once.

Using the Simulation Applet

• Generating New Puzzles: Understand how to generate a new, randomly generated, and solvable Sudoku puzzle using the "reset" button.
• Difficulty Levels: Explain how the "Numbers to Hide" slider controls the difficulty of the puzzle by varying the number of pre-filled cells. Know that moving the slider left reveals more numbers (easier), and moving it right hides more numbers (harder).
• Number Selection: Describe the process of selecting a number from the blue list and how the selected number is highlighted.
• Filling Empty Slots: Explain how to place a selected number into an empty cell by clicking on it. Understand the visual feedback: green for a correct placement, red for an incorrect placement.
• Cell Lock-in: Know that once a correct number is placed in a cell, that cell becomes unselectable.
• Completion Message: Understand what the completion message signifies and what additional information it might display (e.g., number of tries).
• Sudoku Solution Button: Describe the function of the "Sudoku Solution" button and when a user might choose to use it.
• Information Texts: Explain the purpose of the information texts that display the remaining cells and the number of tries.
• Full Screen Toggle: Know how to toggle the applet between normal and full-screen modes.

Connections to Other Resources

• Open Educational Resources: Understand that this Sudoku applet is part of a larger collection of openly accessible educational materials.
• Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS): Infer that the applet is likely built using the EJS library, which allows for the creation of interactive simulations.
• Variety of Simulations: Recognize the wide range of other mathematical and scientific simulations available on the same platform, as listed under the accordion menu.

Sudoku Simulation Applet Quiz

1. What is the primary objective of a Sudoku puzzle, and what are the constraints regarding the placement of digits?
2. Explain what it means for a Sudoku puzzle to be "well-posed" according to the provided text.
3. How does the "Numbers to Hide" slider in the simulation applet affect the difficulty of the Sudoku puzzle? Describe the effect of moving the slider to the left and to the right.
4. Describe the steps a user would take in the simulation applet to place the number '5' into an empty cell on the Sudoku grid.
5. What visual cues does the Sudoku simulation applet provide to indicate whether a number has been placed correctly or incorrectly in a cell?
6. Once a number is correctly placed in a cell within the simulation applet, what happens to that particular cell?
7. What is the function of the "Sudoku Solution" button in the applet, and in what situations might a user choose to click it?
8. Identify two pieces of information that are displayed in the "Information Texts" section of the Sudoku simulation applet.
9. Based on the surrounding content, what type of resource is this Sudoku game simulation applet considered to be? Provide a brief explanation.
10. Besides the Sudoku game, list two other examples of simulation applets available on this platform, as indicated in the accordion menu.

Sudoku Simulation Applet Quiz Answer Key

1. The primary objective of Sudoku is to fill a 9x9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 subgrids contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. The constraint is that each digit from 1 to 9 can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 subgrid.
2. A well-posed Sudoku puzzle, according to the text, is one where the puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid that has a single, unique solution. This means there is only one correct way to fill in the remaining empty cells.
3. The "Numbers to Hide" slider controls difficulty by determining how many initial numbers are hidden. Moving the slider to the left reveals more numbers, making the puzzle easier, while moving it to the right hides more numbers, increasing the difficulty.
4. First, the user would click on the blue list of numbers on the left side of the grid to select the number '5'. This action would highlight the number '5' in yellow, indicating it is the currently selected number to be placed. Then, the user would click on an empty cell within the Sudoku grid to place the highlighted '5' into that cell.
5. The applet provides visual feedback through color-coding. If a number is placed correctly in a cell, the number will turn green. If a number is placed incorrectly, the number will turn red.
6. Once a number is correctly placed in a cell in the simulation applet and turns green, that particular cell becomes unselectable, meaning the user cannot change the number in that cell anymore.
7. The "Sudoku Solution" button automatically solves the current Sudoku puzzle displayed in the applet, revealing the correct placement of all the numbers. A user might click this button if they are stuck, feel like giving up, or simply want to see the solution.
8. Two pieces of information displayed in the "Information Texts" section are the number of remaining cells left to fill in the Sudoku grid and the total number of tries the user has made while attempting to solve the puzzle.
9. This Sudoku game simulation applet is considered to be an Open Educational Resource. This is indicated by the website's title, "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore," and the licensing information provided at the bottom of the page.
10. Two other examples of simulation applets listed in the accordion menu include "Riemann Integral and Lebesgue Integral JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5" and "Mechanical Spring-Mass System JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5". (Any two from the extensive list are acceptable).

Sudoku Simulation Applet Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the pedagogical value of using a Sudoku simulation applet like the one described in the source material for learning about logic, problem-solving, and combinatorial reasoning. How might the interactive features enhance the learning experience compared to traditional paper-based Sudoku puzzles?
2. Analyze the design and functionality of the Sudoku simulation applet. How do the different interactive elements (e.g., difficulty slider, number selection, visual feedback) contribute to the user's ability to engage with and learn from the puzzle?
3. Considering the broader context of "Open Educational Resources," evaluate the benefits and potential challenges of providing educational tools like this Sudoku applet freely online. How does this align with the goals of open education?
4. The source material lists a vast array of other simulation applets. In what ways does the inclusion of a simple logic puzzle like Sudoku fit within a collection primarily focused on mathematics and physics concepts? What might be the rationale for offering such a diverse range of tools?
5. Explore the potential for further development or enhancement of this Sudoku simulation applet to increase its educational impact. What additional features or modifications could be implemented to support more advanced learning or engagement with mathematical concepts?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Sudoku: A logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle played on a 9x9 grid, where the objective is to fill the grid with digits 1 through 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 subgrid contains all of these digits exactly once.
• Combinatorial: Relating to the arrangement, combination, and selection of objects (in this case, numbers) according to specific rules. Sudoku is combinatorial because its solution depends on the specific arrangement of digits.
• Logic-based: Relying on deductive reasoning and logical deduction to solve, rather than guesswork or calculation. Sudoku puzzles are solved by identifying contradictions and necessary placements based on the given numbers.
• Well-posed puzzle: A puzzle, such as a Sudoku, that has a unique and single solution based on the initial conditions provided.
• Grid: The 9x9 matrix structure on which a Sudoku puzzle is played, consisting of rows (horizontal lines of cells) and columns (vertical lines of cells).
• Subgrid (Box, Block, Region): One of the nine 3x3 squares that divide the 9x9 Sudoku grid. Each subgrid must also contain all digits from 1 to 9 exactly once.
• Difficulty Slider: An interactive element in the simulation applet that allows the user to adjust the number of pre-filled cells in the Sudoku grid, thereby controlling the puzzle's difficulty level.
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Educational materials and resources that are freely available for use, adaptation, and sharing, often licensed under open licenses.
• JavaScript Simulation Applet: An interactive program or application embedded in a web page, created using the JavaScript programming language, that simulates a specific process or activity (in this case, playing Sudoku).
• HTML5: The latest evolution of the standard Hypertext Markup Language, used for structuring and presenting content on the World Wide Web. It supports multimedia and interactive elements, making applets like this Sudoku game possible within a web browser.