Lower Limit Found For Sudoku Puzzle Clues

ananyo writes "An Irish mathematician has used a complex algorithm and millions of hours of supercomputing time to solve an important open problem in the mathematics of Sudoku, the game popularized in Japan that involves filling in a 9X9 grid of squares with the numbers 1–9 according to certain rules. Gary McGuire of University College Dublin shows in a proof posted online [PDF] that the minimum number of clues — or starting digits — needed to complete a puzzle is 17; puzzles with 16 or fewer clues do not have a unique solution. Most newspaper puzzles have around 25 clues, with the difficulty of the puzzle decreasing as more clues are given."

In related news...

[jcreus]

High-tech computers, working uninterruptedly for about 10 years, have finally discovered the exact minimum number of clues for the binary sudoku [xkcd.com].

I prefer my Sudoku with

[Anonymous Coward]

After a long day at work I prefer my Sudoku with 80+ clues

I prefer...

[wbr1]

I prefer Sudoku puzzles with only one clue. That way I can finish them any damn way I want. Multiple solutions are my friend.
Besides, I am a word geek, not a math geek. Cruciverbalism is my cup of tea (or letters).

Re:Well this will solve world hunger.

[toomanyhandles]

People with more education than you do, apparently.

Socialism

[Anonymous Coward]

There are only two reasons to spend taxpayer money: To defend America, and to get Republicans back into power!

Everything else is SOCIALISM!

Re:I prefer...

[Anonymous Coward]

It's your cup of.... Alphabet Soup?

Ready to be sad?

[SteveFoerster]

Well, close: there's a grant program [icr.org]. Seriously.