Sumplete Solver

What Is the Sumplete Solver?

Sumplete is a fun yet challenging puzzle game that puts your math skills and logical thinking to the test. The objective is simple: on an N×N grid, delete numbers so that the remaining numbers in each row and column match a given target sum.

But as straightforward as it sounds, many players find themselves stuck—especially as the grid size increases.

First of all, some Sumplete puzzles may be inherently unsolvable. Mistakes in the number input or misconfigured target sums can make a puzzle impossible to solve, and there's no easy way for players to tell. Many end up spending a lot of time tweaking numbers, unsure whether they're on the right track—or stuck in a dead end.

Second, as the grid gets larger, the number of possible number combinations increases exponentially. Manually working through them becomes not only time-consuming but also error-prone. Verifying whether a specific number should be deleted becomes a tedious and frustrating task.

That's why we built the Sumplete Solver—to simplify the solving process and improve your experience. Just input the numbers and target sums, and the solver will automatically check if the puzzle is solvable. If it is, it will figure out which numbers to delete so that every row and column adds up to the correct total. If not, it'll let you know which row or column is causing the issue so you can fix it easily.

How to Use the Sumplete Solver

1. Choose a Grid Size: Select a grid size from 3x3 to 9x9. The larger the grid, the more difficult the puzzle becomes.
2. Enter Numbers and Target Sums: Fill in the numbers on the grid, then enter the target sum for each row (on the right) and column (at the bottom).
3. Click "Solve": Once your inputs are ready, click the "Solve" button. The solver will automatically delete the appropriate numbers to ensure each row and column meets its target. If the setup is correct, you'll see a complete solution.
4. Click "Clear":Want to start over? Just hit "Clear" to wipe the grid and target sums for a fresh start.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I enter the target sums?

  You'll find input fields at the end of each row (on the right) and below each column. Make sure to enter the correct totals, as the solver uses these to determine which numbers to delete.

• Does the solver fill in the numbers automatically?

  No. You must input all the numbers yourself. The solver's job is to determine which numbers should be deleted, not to guess the missing ones.

• Is the solution unique?

  Most Sumplete puzzles have a unique solution. But if your inputs are incorrect—like a wrong number or mismatched total—the solver might not find a valid answer. Double-check your inputs if you're unsure.

• What if there's no solution?

  If your numbers or target sums don't line up, the solver may not be able to find a solution. In that case, it will highlight the problematic row or column so you can fix the issue.

• Can I use negative numbers?

  Yes! The solver supports both positive and negative numbers. Just enter them as needed.

• Why is my Sumplete puzzle unsolvable? How can I tell if the puzzle itself is flawed?

  The key rule in Sumplete is that the sum of the remaining numbers in each row and column must exactly match the given targets. Your puzzle might be unsolvable if:

  • The target sums are higher than the total of the available numbers.
  • Required numbers conflict between rows and columns.
  • Some row or column targets can't be reached by any combination of available numbers.

  In such cases, the solver will analyze all possible combinations and clearly tell you if the puzzle has no solution. This is a great way to confirm whether the puzzle is flawed.

• How does the solver decide which numbers to delete? What's the strategy behind it?

  The solver uses a combination of subset sum algorithms and backtracking with pruning:

  • It considers all possible "keep" combinations for each row and column.
  • Then it cross-checks those combinations to ensure there are no conflicts (e.g., a number can't be both deleted and kept).
  • It uses backtracking to test solutions, abandoning any path that can't work early on (pruning).

  This strategy avoids unnecessary calculations and speeds up the solving process significantly.

• Can the solver solve just one row or column at a time?

  No. Sumplete is a globally constrained puzzle, meaning each row and column depends on the others. Solving just one part in isolation can lead to conflicts or incomplete solutions. That's why the solver analyzes the entire grid at once to ensure everything fits together.