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Module 0 · OrientationLesson 1 of 28

What Sudoku Is

Recognize the goal of classic Sudoku and the three structures that constrain every cell.

Outcome

You can explain the goal of Sudoku and show how one cell belongs to a row, a column, and a box at the same time.

Intro copy

Sudoku gives every empty cell three overlapping sets of restrictions.

Before solving anything, learn to see those three structures.

Step 1 — Meet the grid

Copy:

Classic Sudoku has 81 cells. Some digits are already given to you. You solve the rest.

CTA: Next

Step 2 — The three rules around a cell

Copy:

Every cell belongs to one row, one column, and one 3×3 box.
A digit cannot repeat in any of those three places.

Step 3 — Guided check

Prompt:

This cell is in the highlighted row, column, and box. If its row already contains 5, can this cell also be 5?

Choices:

  • Yes
  • No

Correct feedback:

Right. A row can contain each digit only once, so 5 is ruled out here.

Incorrect feedback:

Check the highlighted row. It already contains a 5, so this cell cannot contain another one.

Step 4 — Final check

Prompt:

What do you check before placing a digit in a classic Sudoku cell?

Correct option:

Its row, column, and box.

Distractors should not be joke answers; use plausible alternatives such as row and column only.

Completion

Walkthrough viewed + final check correct.

Next

The Grid — learn the names of the parts you will use in every lesson.

Reference

Read the full What Is Sudoku? guide.