AddEmly was created by a math and puzzle lover, whether it be jigsaw, logic challenges, or brainteasers. I believe gaming should be fun and stimulating, so I set out to create a reimagined version of the classic logic puzzles that are loved by all.

What is a Latin Square?

The term “Latin Square” or “Carré Latin”was first coined by famous Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler, who studied special N by N grids. Each column and row contained a set of Latin letters where any one letter would only occur once per row and column. Today, latin squares are still studied in the field of mathematics, especially in combinatorics.

Who was Leonhard Euler?

Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) was a Swiss mathematician who is most famous for recognizing the significance of the constant e and discovering what is widely known as the most beautiful mathematical equation also known as Euler’s identity:

Who invented the Latin Square?

In 1700, about 67 years before Euler coined the term, a Korean mathematician during the Joseon Dynastry named Choi Seok-jeong (1646-1715) published a paper called “Gusuryak” (구수략, 九數略). The publication contained a mathematical puzzle that involved a 9x9 Latin square. This is the earliest known record of such mathematical thinking.

Is a Latin square the same as a magic square?

No, a Latin square requires that one number or symbol does not repeat in any column or row and the same set of numbers or symbols appear in every row and column. In a magic square, only numbers can be used and the sum of each row, column, and sometimes diagonal must add to the same total. Additionally, each number can only appear once in the entire grid.

Is Sudoku a Latin square?

Yes! In Sudoku, the numbers 1-9 can and must only appear once per row and column, but there is an added constant of appearing once per subgrid. This makes a Sudoku grid a special subtype of a Latin square.

What is a Nonogram?

A Nonogram is a logic puzzle made up of cells in a grid which are either filled or not. The hints state how many grids are filled consecutively in each row and column. The puzzles were invented separately around the same time in 1987 by a Japanese graphic editor and a Japanese puzzler. In 1990, the puzzles were given the name Nonogram after Non Ishida, one of the inventors and published in a UK newspaper.