How to Solve a Logic Puzzle

If you're new to grid-based logic puzzles, this tutorial will teach you the basics. Start with the "Introduction" first, then move on to the tutorials discussing specific clues or solving methods. Each tutorial contains a number of different slides - you can advance to the next slide by clicking "Next slide" at the bottom of each page, or by using the circled numerical links below each slide. Choose your specific tutorial from the list below to get started.

  • Introduction
  • True and False Clues
  • Multi-Elimination Clues
  • Neither/Nor Clues
  • Either/Or Clues
  • Greater/Lesser Than Clues
  • Unaligned Pair Clues
  • Transpositions
  • Parallel Cross Eliminations
  • Skewed Cross Eliminations
  • Pseudo-True Pairs (Aligned)
  • Pseudo-True Pairs (Staggered)
  • Transitive Relationships (Either/Or)
  • Transitive Relationships (Unaligned Pair)
  • Comparative Relationships
  • Trial and Error
  • Taking Notes
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    Trial and Error


    • Slide #1

      First off, a disclaimer. Trial and error is never, never, NEVER required to solve any Puzzle Baron brand logic puzzle! We specifically engineer and test our puzzles so that they can each be solved using pure logic alone.

      That said, there's nothing preventing you from using trial and error when you can't find the next logical move. So if you get absolutely stuck on a puzzle and you can't find your way to the next true/false relationship, you can always give trial and error a try.


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    • Slide #2

      Let's say you're stuck at this point - there are several clues left, but no matter how many times you pore over them, you just can't seem to find the next logical deduction. Here's how trial and error might help you get unstuck.

      In this example, Bonita can only be $45 or $50. Since there are only two options left, that's as good a place as any to give trial and error a shot. So let's "pencil in" a true relationship for Bonita and $50, and see where it takes us...


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    • Slide #3

      Once we penciled in Bonita == $50, that left only one remaining option for Laura ($55), so let's pencil in a true relationship for Laura and $55.

      That, in turn, leaves only one remaining option for Sheila in relation to price...


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    • Slide #4

      So now we fill in a true relationship for Sheila and her only remaining option ($40).

      Can you see what's wrong with this picture?


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    • Slide #5

      We have a conflict! Our trial and error thread (which began with Bonita == $50) ended up giving us Sheila == $40.

      But we already knew Sheila == Taurus, and $40 == Cancer. Taurus and Cancer are different items in the same category, and can never be paired with one another. Therefore Sheila can't be equal to $40. And if Sheila can't be $40, that means our original "trial" (Bonita == $50) has led to an "error" (Sheila == $40).

      Therefore Bonita can't be equal to $50...


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    • Slide #6

      ... and if Bonita isn't equal to $50, she must be equal to $45. That gives us a new true relationship on the grid, and, with any luck, gets you past your roadblock and on your way to a successful solve.

      Again, trial and error is never required on any Puzzle Baron puzzle, but it is a perfectly legitimate solving method to use when nothing else is working for you. Just be sure to keep careful track of all your "trial steps" so you can backtrack them when necessary!


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