KenKen is a grid-based numerical puzzle that uses the basic math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while also challenging your logic and problem-solving skills. It was developed in 2004 by Japanese mathematics instructor Tetsuya Miyamoto to improve his students math and logic skills. The puzzle consists of a grid that can be anywhere from 3-by-3 to 9-by-9 cubes, which is further divided into cages, or groups of cubes. Each cage contains a target number and mathematical operation (addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication) . The goal of KenKen is to fill the puzzle with digits so that no number repeats in any row or column. The puzzles come in different sizes, and five different difficulty levels can be generated by altering the size of a KenKen grid and employing different combinations of the math operations. KenKen puzzles are used by over 30,000 teachers throughout the United States to teach math skills, problem-solving techniques, logic, and critical thinking.

To play KenKen, you will need a KenKen puzzle, a pencil, and an eraser. The rules guiding which numbers you can place where are based on the size of the puzzle, so a 4x4 inch puzzle will use the digits 1 through 4. The heavily outlined areas in the puzzle are called cages, and the goal is to fill each cage with the correct digits so that the math operation indicated in the cage is correct. When you first introduce any new puzzle, focus on elements common to all problem-solving. Of course, youll also need to teach the rules for KenKen, but theyre not the goal. Learning rules works best in context, while you are playing for the first time.