Or alternatively, using the labels A through I for the regions, how can the numbers one through nine be assigned to the variables such that:
Is there a logical approach other than brute force?
Source: Andrew Gray in newsgroup rec.puzzles, March 23, 1997.
A+B | B+C+D | D+E+F | F+G+H | H+I | ||
9+2 | 2+5+4 | 4+6+1 | 1+7+3 | 3+8 | Sum=11 | |
9+4 | 4+1+8 | 8+3+2 | 2+5+6 | 6+7 | Sum=13 | |
7+6 | 6+5+2 | 2+8+3 | 3+1+9 | 9+4 | Sum=13 | |
8+6 | 6+1+7 | 7+4+3 | 3+2+9 | 9+5 | Sum=14 |
The following methods generate 2 distinct (not simply reversals of each other) solutions for n rings, where n is any given odd number. Although I haven't checked, I doubt that they generate every solution. In the n-1 regions of intersection, place the following numbers sequentially: n-1, 2n-2, n-3, 2n-4, n-5, 2n-6, n-7, 2n-8,..., 2, 2n-(n-1)=n+1. Notice that all of the above numbers are even. Fill in the remaining regions so that each ring has a total of 3n-2. You can get a second solution by dividing all the numbers in the above sequence by 2, placing the resulting sequence in the regions of intersection, and the filling in the remaining regions so that each ring has a total of (5n-3)/2. Suppose, for example, you have nine rings. Using the above methods, you get the solutions: 17, 8, 1, 16, 3, 6, 5, 14, 7, 4, 9, 12, 11, 2, 13, 10, 15 and 17, 4, 9, 8, 10, 3, 11, 7, 12, 2, 13, 6, 14, 1, 15, 5, 16. Here are some of the thoughts that led these methods. First, if t is the total in each ring, then tn = 1+2+3+...+(2n-2)+(2n-1) + i_1 + i_2 +... + i_(n-1) = n(2n-1) + i_1 + i_2 +... + i_(n-1), where i_x is the region of intersection between the xth and (x+1)th rings. Therefore, the sum of the numbers in the regions of intersection must be divisible by n. The first set of n-1 numbers the sum of which is divisible by n (odd) that came to my mind was 1, 2, 3,... n-1. Obviously the set 2, 4, 6,... 2n-2 also works. After that, it was just a matter of ordering the set in a sensible way. Clearly many other sets of n-1 numbers have a sum that is divisible by n, but I haven't tested whether these sets generate solutions. -Craig Gentry
I could give you the full proof but this would be to long. My idea is as follows. 1. 45 + B + D + F + H = 5 -tuple this leaves 1+2+3+4=10,..,30=6+7+8+9 as possibilities. 2. We only consider A < I ( and B < H), since the problem is symmetric. 3. for each sum we now exclude the numbers X,Y that can't be B or H : For 3 possible reasons (If n=the sum of each ring) X < n - 9 2X = n X+Y=n. It seems that in each case at least 1 number drops so this narrows down the possibilities. 4. Now we try to find the numbers for the two not outer, not cntral rings (so C,D ,F and G) For example if A = 7 then C+D=7, search for every possible c,d. There are 2 reasons why this could be impossible : "already used" and none or both have to be in {B,D,F,H}. This considerations and some work lead to the answer I gave.
We want:
First notice that no combination of (B,D,F,H) can sum to S. For one digit, it's not possible. For all four, it's not possible due to the definition.
For two, (x+y=S) consider where they'd be placed: x could not be put in B/H, because A/I would have to be y, but y has to be in (B,D,F,H). So they would have to go in D and F, but that would make E=0.
For three, (x+y+z=S), two of the three (say x,y) would have to be placed together, but that would force z to not be in (B,D,F,H) - a contradiciton.
S = 11
A E I B D F H C G 8 6 9 3 1 4 2 7 5 | For S=11, (B+D+F+H) = 10, the numbers [1,2,3,4] must be used, and the contradictions above don't apply. '1' cannot be on the outside (B or H) because A or I would have to be 10. So let D=1. If B were 4, [F,H] would be [2,3] and both C and G would have to be 6; so B is not 4. If B were 2, then B+D=3, so H could not be 3 (both C and I would be 8); but with H=4 and F=3, D+F=4, and both E and I would be 7; so B is not 2. B is 3. With B+D=4, H is not 4; so H=2 and F=4. The remaining values can now be easily placed. Similar arguments apply for answers found below, too. |
S=12.
For S=12, (B+D+F+H)=15, there is no solution.
The possible combinations and related concerns
are below:
BDFH | Conflict |
12xy | x+y=12 |
3xyz | x+y+z=12 |
14xy, xy>4 | 1+4+x+y>15 |
S=13.
For S=13, (B+D+F+H)=20.
The possible combinations and related concerns
are below:
BDFH | Conflict | |
1289 | (1,2) must be (D,F), so E=10. | |
xy7z | x+y+z=13 | |
1469 | 4+9=13 | |
1568 | 5+8=13 | |
2369 | None - this works: | 7 8 4 6 2 3 9 5 1 |
2459 | 4+9=13 | |
2468 | None - this works: | 7 3 9 6 2 8 4 5 1 |
3458 | 5+8=13 |
S=14.
For S=14, (B+D+F+H)=25.
The possible combinations and related concerns
are below:
BDFH | Conflict | |
1xyz | Any two of (xyz) sum to S>14. | |
2xyz | Any two of (xyz) sum to S>=14. | |
3589 | 5+9=14 | |
3679 | None - this works: | 5 4 8 9 3 7 6 2 1 |
4579 | 5+9=14 | |
4678 | 6+8=14 |
S=15.
For S=15, (B+D+F+H)=30, so (BDFH) must be (6789) and 6+9=7+8=15,
so there are no solutions.