How to play Pencil Logic Grids
- Choose a puzzle. Start with Three friends if you are new to logic grids.
- Read all the clues. Look for clues that give you a fact straight away, such as “Chen has the dog”.
- Use “not” clues to cross off options.
- Choose from the menus, then press Check.
Maths skills this game builds
- Deductive reasoning
- Organising information in a table
- Careful reading
- Perseverance
Tips for parents and carers
- Draw a table on paper with names down the side and choices across the top. Tick for a match and cross for “not them”.
- Talk about which clue you used first and why.
- Write your own puzzle for a friend, then check it only has one answer.
Using Pencil Logic Grids with a group or class
- Children can work in pairs in breakout rooms, then explain how they used a particular clue.
- Four puzzles get harder: the race puzzle is a good one to introduce ordering clues.
- No recording is needed. A pencil and a scrap of paper is enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is a logic grid puzzle?
It is a puzzle where you match items from different lists, such as people, pets and sports, using clues.
Do all the puzzles have one answer?
Yes. Each one was checked by a computer so there is exactly one solution.
What should I do if I am stuck?
Look for the clue that mentions one person or one thing by name. It usually gives you a first match.