Understanding the Puzzle: A Quick Look
The puzzle shows a 3×3 grid. Eight squares have numbers, and one, marked with a question mark, is empty. At first, it may seem random, but there’s a pattern. To solve it, we must analyze the numbers and find their relationships.
Step One: Observe the Grid Numbers
The grid numbers are:
- Row 1: 1, 2, 3
- Row 2: 2, 4, 6
- Row 3: 3, 6,?
We can see each row follows a sequence. The key to solving is finding the rule for these numbers.
Step Two: Find the Pattern
The best way to solve such puzzles is to look at relationships between rows, columns, or diagonals. Analyzing row – by – row:
- Row 1 has consecutive integers (1, 2, 3).
- Row 2 has multiples of 2 (2, 4, 6).
- Row 3 has 3, 6,?. It seems related to multiples of 3.
Each row appears to be a multiplication table: - Row 1 is multiplying by 1.
- Row 2 is multiplying by 2.
- Row 3 is multiplying by 3.
Step Three: Solve for the Missing Number
If Row 3 is multiples of 3:
- The first number is .
- The second number is .
- The third number should be .
So, the missing number is 9.
Step Four: Check the Solution
It’s smart to double – check. With the pattern, each row matches the multiplication table:
- Row 1: 1, 2, 3 (Multiples of 1)
- Row 2: 2, 4, 6 (Multiples of 2)
- Row 3: 3, 6, 9 (Multiples of 3)
This shows our solution is right.