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Puzzle—Solving Smartphone Puzzle Apps by Mathematical Programming

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  • SönkeHartmann

    (Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA), 20457, Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

This paper considers six logic puzzles (i.e., single player games) that are available as smartphone apps. The six logic puzzles are: Thermometer Puzzles , Kakuro (Cross Sums) , Match 22: Color Puzzle Game , ∞ Infinity Loop , Slider , and Flow Free . We provide mathematical models that can be applied to obtain solutions for these puzzles. In OR/MS lectures, the apps and models can be used as examples or exercises when teaching mathematical programming and for discussion of familiar model types such as shortest path and network flow models. Given the popularity of logic puzzle apps on smartphones, such exercises might be motivating for students. The level of difficulty of the models presented here varies from easy to more difficult.

Suggested Citation

  • SönkeHartmann, 2018. "Puzzle—Solving Smartphone Puzzle Apps by Mathematical Programming," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 18(2), pages 127-141, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orited:v:18:y:2018:i:2:p:127-141
    DOI: 10.1287/ited.2017.0182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Craig Letavec & John Ruggiero, 2002. "The n -Queens Problem," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 101-103, May.
    2. Gail W. DePuy & G. Don Taylor, 2007. "Using Board Puzzles to Teach Operations Research," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 7(2), pages 160-171, January.
    3. Martin J. Chlond & Cath M. Toase, 2002. "IP Modeling of Chessboard Placements and Related Puzzles," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 2(2), pages 1-11, January.
    4. Martin J. Chlond, 2005. "Classroom Exercises in IP Modeling: Su Doku and the Log Pile," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 5(2), pages 77-79, January.
    5. Robin H. Pearce & Michael A. Forbes, 2017. "Puzzle—The Fillomino Puzzle," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 85-89, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sönke Hartmann, 2019. "Puzzle—More Logic Puzzle Apps Solved by Mathematical Programming," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 20(1), pages 49-55, September.
    2. Mitchell Harris & Michael Forbes, 2023. "The Snake Eggs Puzzle: Preparing Students for Benders Decomposition," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 23(3), pages 210-217, May.

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    Keywords

    puzzle; teaching modeling;

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