Answer to May 6, 2002 Problem

The Cross Number Problem

 
This cross number puzzle is like a cross word puzzle except that it uses numbers instead of words. Follow the clues A to F, and see if you can place one digit in each box, forming a three-digit number in each column (reading down) and a three-digit number in each row (reading left to right).
Here's one additional clue: Every digit from 1 through 9 will be used exactly once in the grid.

      A     B     C  
  D              
  E              
  F              

Down:
A has a first digit that is one less than its second digit, and a second digit that is one less than its third digit.

B has a first digit that is one more than its second digit, and a second digit that is one more than its third digit.

C has a third digit that is equal to the sum of its first two digits.

Across:
D is an even number.

E is an odd number.

F is equal to three times number A.

 

Solution to Problem:

      A     B     C  
  D     1     8     4  
  E     2     7     5  
  F     3     6     9  

The key was that the number F must equal 3 times the number A.
Since A must be made up of three consecutive integers (123 or 234 or 345 or 456 or 567 or 678 or 789), the only number which works for F is 369 (if A = 123).


Correctly solved by:

1. Walt Arrison Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. Rick Jones Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
3. Christopher March Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
4. Rich Murray Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
5. Jaime Lockhart Winchester, Virginia
6. Tori Eads Winchester, Virginia
7. George Gaither Winchester, Virginia
8. John Beasley Winchester, Virginia
9. James Alarie University of Michigan -- Flint, Michigan
10. Kathy Hall Wellington, Florida
11. David Stark Winchester, Virginia
12. Geoff Keith Santa Monica, California
13. Richard Johnson La Jolla, California
14. Carter Wallace Columbus, Georgia
15. Scott Hart Columbus, Georgia
16. ---------- United Kingdom
17. Andrea Flandry Columbus, Georgia
18. Emily Moll University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
19. Nick von Keller Winchester, Virginia
20. Jessica Wolff Columbus, Georgia
21. Ashley Maignan Columbus, Georgia
22. Elizabeth Earley Columbus, Georgia
23. Ellen Sankovich Winchester, Virginia
24. Janine Oliver Winchester, Virginia
25. Justin Collins Winchester, Virginia
26. Chip Schweikarth Bedford, Pennsylvania
27. Griffin -----
27. Elizabeth Emmart Winchester, Virginia