<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>We consider different ways to count the number of clues in American-style crossword puzzle grids. One yields a basic parity result for symmetric square grids. Another works efficiently even for non-symmetric grids that are already numbered. We further discuss the upper limit on the number of clues in a crossword puzzle with no 2-letter answers, and open questions are given. As a bonus, a mathematically-themed crossword puzzle is included!</p></abstract>

We consider different ways to count the number of clues in American-style crossword puzzle grids. One yields a basic parity result for symmetric square grids. Another works efficiently even for non-symmetric grids that are already numbered. We further discuss the upper limit on the number of clues in a crossword puzzle with no 2-letter answers, and open questions are given. As a bonus, a mathematically-themed crossword puzzle is included!

Counting Clues in Crosswords

Recreational Mathematics Magazine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Counting Clues in Crosswords"}

We consider different ways to count the number of clues in American-style crossword puzzle grids. One yields a basic parity result for symmetric square grids....

Counting Clues in Crosswords

Online veröffentlicht: 18. Sept. 2020

Seitenbereich: 1 - 7

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rmm-2020-0001

© 2020 Kevin K. Ferland, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.