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

  • Unaligned Pair Clues


    • Slide #1

      An "unaligned pair clue" gives you four options split into two sides, and tells you that two true relationships exist between the options on either side - but it doesn't tell you which option is paired with which. (This is why we refer to them as "unaligned pairs.")

      Take this one for example: "Of Laura and the person who got the blue tattoo, one paid $45 and the other chose the Gemini symbol."



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    • Slide #2

      Right away, you can deduce two false relationships from this clue:

      1. Laura's tattoo wasn't the blue one.

      2. The Gemini tattoo didn't cost $45.

      Why? Because the "one/other" construct tells us that each of the two items on either side of the clue is a separate entity. If Laura had the blue tattoo or if the Gemini tattoo cost $45, the clue would be nonsensical. There would just be Laura with a blue Gemini tattoo that cost $45, and there would be no "other" entity to speak of.



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    • Slide #3

      You'll want to constantly check back on your unaligned pair clues as you progress through the grid. Whenever one of the four intersecting points between those items is marked false, you'll instantly know where to place two new true relationships.

      For example, if later in the puzzle you find that Laura's tattoo doesn't cost $45, you will know right away, thanks to this clue, that Laura's tattoo was the Gemini symbol, and the blue tattoo cost $45.



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