How to Solve a Sudoku Cube

The Sudoku cube is the new rage among puzzle solving enthusiasts, as it blends the spatial complexity of solving a Rubik's cube with added complexity of a mathematical Sudoku puzzle.

What is a Sudoku Cube?

For all those of you, who are new to the concept of a Sudoku cube, let me give some background about this relatively new puzzle toy. It is a new avatar of the Rubik's cube and it was created by the well-known toy maker Jay Horowitz in 2006. The Rubik's cube is a combination of the idea of a Rubik's cube and Sudoku which has been around as a puzzle concept since 1979.

Every puzzle has an ultimate objective that must be achieved within some specific framework of rules. A Sudoku cube is a Rubik's cube (3x3x3), with color faces replaced by numbers 1 to 9. There are six faces of a cube and 9 numbers on each face. That makes it a total of 54 numbers with six sets of the numbers 1 to 9. The objective of the puzzle is to get each face of the Sudoku cube to have all the numbers from 1 to 9, not necessarily in order. The manipulation of the cube is the same as the Rubik's cube through rotation of sides. However, in this case, the ultimate objective is even more challenging.

There are many variations of the Sudoku cube or 'Sudokube' as it is called by some. Some have a higher cube number like a 4x4x4 Rubik's cube. There are in fact twelve different types, which differ in complexity and have varying challenging levels. Simulating a Sudoku cube is an interesting computational problem.

Those of you who have spent hours on the Rubik's cube will definitely enjoy solving the Sudoku cube, as it is a bit more complex than the Rubik's cube. Your Rubik's cube solving skills and Sudoku solving skills will come in handy when you are solving it. Sudoku converts the two dimensional flat problem of a Sudoku into a three dimensional problem. You need a good spatial understanding and imagination, combined with an ability to handle number combinations, to solve a Sudoku cube.

Tips on Solving a Sudoku Cube

Solving any puzzle or a riddle is my favorite pastime. Not only is it a great diversion, but it also gives you an opportunity to hone your problem solving skills. Here are some tips on solving a Sudoku cube mathematically and through use of logic based on pure unadulterated common sense.

Master Solving Rubik's Cube
The skills and methods of solving a Rubik's cube like the Lars Petrus method, help in solving the Sudoku cube. Getting familiar with the dynamics of a Rubik's cube will certainly give you an insight into solving the Sudoku cube which is its advanced version.

Master Solving Sudoku
It is essential that you know how to solve Sudoku easily, as that logic combined with the logic of solving a Rubik's cube is what will ultimately illuminate the path to solve a Sudoku cube. The ability to solve Sudoku puzzles quickly can only be acquired through daily practice.

Unfold the Cube
By unfolding the cube, I mean, draw a two dimensional map of all the numbers on each face on paper. This can help you in figuring out the whole arrangement of numbers, their orientation and let you apply Sudoku logic to solve this puzzle.

Focus on the Center Digit on Each Face
The center number on each 3x3 cube face are immovable and they can help you in figuring out the positions of the rest of the numbers. Due to the fixed center face, you only need to worry about the rest of the eight faces on each face.

Figure out the Corner Faces & Then the Edge Faces
Next work out the positions of the corner face numbers, through twisting and turning the cube layers by considering the center number faces as your reference points. The trick is to focus on completing the number assembly on one face and the rest will automatically fall into place. After figuring out the positions of the numbers on corner cubes, you can go after the edge face positions.

Solving a Sudoku cube is creating order out of disorder. After hundreds of twists and turns, when you finally get the order right through your own logic, you will certainly savor the moment.