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{{redirect|Puzzle game|the video game genre|Puzzle video game}} {{redirect|Puzzle game|the video game genre|Puzzle video game}}
{{Puzzles|Types}} {{Puzzles|Types}}
A '''puzzle''' is a ], ], or ] that tests a person's ingenuity or ]. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (]) in a logical way, in order to arrive at the correct or fun solution of the puzzle. There are different genres of puzzles, such as crossword puzzles, word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, and logic puzzles. The academic study of puzzles is called ]. A '''puzzle''' is a ], ], or ] that tests a person's ingenuity or ]. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (]) in a logical way, in order to find the solution of the puzzle. There are different genres of puzzles, such as ], word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, and logic puzzles. The academic study of puzzles is called ].


Puzzles are often created to be a form of entertainment but they can also arise from serious ] or ] problems. In such cases, their solution may be a significant contribution to mathematical research.<ref>Kendall G.; Parkes A.; and Spoerer K. (2008) ''A Survey of NP-Complete Puzzles'', International Computer Games Association Journal, 31(1), pp 13–34.</ref> Puzzles are often created to be a form of entertainment but they can also arise from serious ] or ] problems. In such cases, their solution may be a significant contribution to mathematical research.<ref>Kendall G.; Parkes A.; and Spoerer K. (2008) ''A Survey of NP-Complete Puzzles'', International Computer Games Association Journal, 31(1), pp 13–34.</ref>


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
The '']'' dates the word ''puzzle'' (as a ]) to the end of the 16th century. Its earliest use documented in the ''OED'' was in a book titled ''The Voyage of ]...to the West Indies, 1594–95, narrated by Capt. Wyatt, by himself, and by Abram Kendall, master'' (published circa 1595). The word later came to be used as a ], first as an ] meaning 'the state or condition of being puzzled', and later developing the meaning of 'a perplexing problem'. The ''OED''{{'}}s earliest clear citation in the sense of 'a toy that tests the player's ingenuity' is from Sir ]'s 1814 novel '']'', referring to a toy known as a "reel in a bottle".<ref>"puzzle, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.</ref> The '']'' dates the word ''puzzle'' (as a ]) to the 16th century. Its earliest use documented in the ''OED'' was in a book titled ''The Voyage of ]...to the West Indies, 1594–95, narrated by Capt. Wyatt, by himself, and by Abram Kendall, master'' (published circa 1595). The word later came to be used as a ], first as an ] meaning 'the state or condition of being puzzled', and later developing the meaning of 'a perplexing problem'. The ''OED''{{'}}s earliest clear citation in the sense of 'a toy that tests the player's ingenuity' is from Sir ]'s 1814 novel '']'', referring to a toy known as a "reel in a bottle".<ref>"puzzle, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.</ref>


The etymology of the verb ''puzzle'' is described by ''OED'' as "unknown"; unproven hypotheses regarding its origin include an Old English verb ''puslian'' meaning 'pick out', and a derivation of the verb ''pose''.<ref>"puzzle, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.</ref> The etymology of the verb ''puzzle'' is described by ''OED'' as "unknown"; unproven hypotheses regarding its origin include an Old English verb ''puslian'' meaning 'pick out', and a derivation of the verb ''pose''.<ref>"puzzle, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.</ref>


==Genres== ==Categories==
] ]
] ]
Puzzles can be categorized as: Puzzles can be categorized as:


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*] *]
*]s like a ] *]s like a ]
*], including ]s, ]s, ], ], and ]. Tabletop and digital word puzzles include ], ], ], ], ], ], Puzzlage, ], ], ], ], ], and ]. ] is a game show centered on a word puzzle. *], including ]s, ]s, ], ], ]s, and ]. Tabletop and digital word puzzles include ], ], ], ], ], ], Puzzlage, ], ], ], ], ], and ]. ] is a game show centered on a word puzzle.
*] *]
**] **]
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==Puzzle solving== ==Puzzle solving==
{{Original research section|date=November 2018}} {{Original research section|date=November 2018}}
Solutions of puzzles often require the recognition of ]s and the adherence to a particular kind of order. People with a high level of ] may be better at solving such puzzles compared to others. But puzzles based upon ] and ] may be solved more easily by those with good ]. Deductive reasoning improves with practice. Mathematical puzzles often involve BODMAS. ] is an acronym which stands for Bracket, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. In certain regions, PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction) is the synonym of BODMAS. It explains the order of operations to solve an expression. Some mathematical puzzles require Top to Bottom convention to avoid the ] in the order of operations. It is an elegantly simple idea that relies, as ] does, on the requirement that numbers appear only once starting from top to bottom as coming along.<ref name="Sudoka">{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=R |title=Sudoka Number Game |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/sudoka |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref> Solutions of puzzles often require the recognition of ]s and the adherence to a particular kind of order. People with a high level of ] may be better at solving such puzzles compared to others. But puzzles based upon ] and ] may be solved more easily by those with good ]. Deductive reasoning improves with practice. Mathematical puzzles often involve BODMAS. ] is an acronym which stands for Bracket, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. In certain regions, PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction) is the synonym of BODMAS. It explains the order of operations to solve an expression. Some mathematical puzzles require top to bottom convention to avoid the ] in the order of operations. It is an elegantly simple idea that relies, as ] does, on the requirement that numbers appear only once starting from top to bottom as coming along.<ref name="Sudoka">{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=R |title=Sudoka Number Game |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/sudoka |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>


==Puzzle makers== ==Puzzle makers==


Puzzle makers are people who make puzzles. In general terms of occupation, a ''puzzler'' is someone who composes and/or solves puzzles. Puzzle makers are people who make puzzles. In general terms of occupation, a ''puzzler'' or ''puzzlist'' is someone who composes and/or solves puzzles.


Some notable creators of puzzles are: Some notable creators of puzzles are:
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]


==History of jigsaw and other puzzles== ==History of puzzles==

{{Main article | Jigsaw puzzle}}
]s are perhaps the most popular form of puzzle. Jigsaw puzzles were invented around 1760, when ], a British engraver and ], mounted a map on a sheet of wood, which he then sawed around the outline of each individual country on the map. He then used the resulting pieces as an aid for the teaching of geography.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/history-of-puzzles/|title=History of Puzzles {{!}} PuzzleWarehouse.com|website=www.puzzlewarehouse.com|access-date=2019-11-20}} </ref> The nine linked-rings puzzle, an advanced puzzle device that requires mathematical calculation to solve, was invented in China during the ] (475-221 BCE).<ref name="GuoEymanSun">{{Cite book |last=Guo |first=Li |title=Games & Play in Chinese & Sinophone Cultures |last2=Eyman |first2=Douglas |last3=Sun |first3=Hongmei |date=2024 |publisher=] |isbn=9780295752402 |editor-last=Guo |editor-first=Li |location=Seattle, WA |pages=6 |chapter=Introduction |editor-last2=Eyman |editor-first2=Douglas |editor-last3=Sun |editor-first3=Hongmei}}</ref> ] were invented around 1760, when ], a British engraver and ], mounted a map on a sheet of wood, which he then sawed around the outline of each individual country on the map. He then used the resulting pieces as an aid for the teaching of geography.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/history-of-puzzles/|title=History of Puzzles {{!}} PuzzleWarehouse.com|website=www.puzzlewarehouse.com|access-date=2019-11-20}} </ref>


After becoming popular among the public, this kind of teaching aid remained the primary use of jigsaw puzzles until about 1820.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211155914/http://www.jigsaw-puzzle.org/jigsaw-puzzle-history.html |date=2014-02-11 }} The American Jigsaw Puzzle Society</ref> After becoming popular among the public, this kind of teaching aid remained the primary use of jigsaw puzzles until about 1820.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211155914/http://www.jigsaw-puzzle.org/jigsaw-puzzle-history.html |date=2014-02-11 }} The American Jigsaw Puzzle Society</ref>
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==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=van Delft |first=Pieter |last2=Botermans |first2=Jack |url=https://archive.org/details/creativepuzzleso0000delf |title=Creative puzzles of the world |year=1978}} * {{Cite book |last1=van Delft |first1=Pieter |last2=Botermans |first2=Jack |url=https://archive.org/details/creativepuzzleso0000delf |title=Creative puzzles of the world |year=1978|publisher=Cassell |isbn=978-0-304-30300-7 }}


==External links== ==External links==

Latest revision as of 18:53, 3 January 2025

Problem or enigma that tests For the common jigsaw puzzle, see Jigsaw puzzle. For other uses, see Puzzle (disambiguation). "Puzzle game" redirects here. For the video game genre, see Puzzle video game.
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A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to find the solution of the puzzle. There are different genres of puzzles, such as crossword puzzles, word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, and logic puzzles. The academic study of puzzles is called enigmatology.

Puzzles are often created to be a form of entertainment but they can also arise from serious mathematical or logical problems. In such cases, their solution may be a significant contribution to mathematical research.

Etymology

The Oxford English Dictionary dates the word puzzle (as a verb) to the 16th century. Its earliest use documented in the OED was in a book titled The Voyage of Robert Dudley...to the West Indies, 1594–95, narrated by Capt. Wyatt, by himself, and by Abram Kendall, master (published circa 1595). The word later came to be used as a noun, first as an abstract noun meaning 'the state or condition of being puzzled', and later developing the meaning of 'a perplexing problem'. The OED's earliest clear citation in the sense of 'a toy that tests the player's ingenuity' is from Sir Walter Scott's 1814 novel Waverley, referring to a toy known as a "reel in a bottle".

The etymology of the verb puzzle is described by OED as "unknown"; unproven hypotheses regarding its origin include an Old English verb puslian meaning 'pick out', and a derivation of the verb pose.

Categories

Various physical puzzles
Simple wooden puzzle made of three pieces

Puzzles can be categorized as:

Puzzle solving

This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (November 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Solutions of puzzles often require the recognition of patterns and the adherence to a particular kind of order. People with a high level of inductive reasoning aptitude may be better at solving such puzzles compared to others. But puzzles based upon inquiry and discovery may be solved more easily by those with good deduction skills. Deductive reasoning improves with practice. Mathematical puzzles often involve BODMAS. BODMAS is an acronym which stands for Bracket, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. In certain regions, PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction) is the synonym of BODMAS. It explains the order of operations to solve an expression. Some mathematical puzzles require top to bottom convention to avoid the ambiguity in the order of operations. It is an elegantly simple idea that relies, as sudoku does, on the requirement that numbers appear only once starting from top to bottom as coming along.

Puzzle makers

Puzzle makers are people who make puzzles. In general terms of occupation, a puzzler or puzzlist is someone who composes and/or solves puzzles.

Some notable creators of puzzles are:

History of puzzles

The nine linked-rings puzzle, an advanced puzzle device that requires mathematical calculation to solve, was invented in China during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE). Jigsaw puzzles were invented around 1760, when John Spilsbury, a British engraver and cartographer, mounted a map on a sheet of wood, which he then sawed around the outline of each individual country on the map. He then used the resulting pieces as an aid for the teaching of geography.

After becoming popular among the public, this kind of teaching aid remained the primary use of jigsaw puzzles until about 1820.

The largest puzzle (40,320 pieces) is made by a German game company Ravensburger. The smallest puzzle ever made was created at LaserZentrum Hannover. It is only five square millimeters, the size of a sand grain.

The puzzles that were first documented are riddles. In Europe, Greek mythology produced riddles like the riddle of the Sphinx. Many riddles were produced during the Middle Ages, as well.

By the early 20th century, magazines and newspapers found that they could increase their readership by publishing puzzle contests, beginning with crosswords and in modern days sudoku.

Organizations and events

There are organizations and events that cater to puzzle enthusiasts, such as:

See also

References

  1. Kendall G.; Parkes A.; and Spoerer K. (2008) A Survey of NP-Complete Puzzles, International Computer Games Association Journal, 31(1), pp 13–34.
  2. "puzzle, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.
  3. "puzzle, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 21 January 2020.
  4. Wilson, R. "Sudoka Number Game". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  5. Guo, Li; Eyman, Douglas; Sun, Hongmei (2024). "Introduction". In Guo, Li; Eyman, Douglas; Sun, Hongmei (eds.). Games & Play in Chinese & Sinophone Cultures. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. p. 6. ISBN 9780295752402.
  6. "History of Puzzles | PuzzleWarehouse.com". www.puzzlewarehouse.com. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  7. History of Jigsaw Puzzles Archived 2014-02-11 at the Wayback Machine The American Jigsaw Puzzle Society
  8. "The worlds biggest Puzzle | Ravensburger". www.ravensburger.us. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  9. "A Brief History of Puzzles". Puzzle Museum. 6 April 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020.

Further reading

External links


Categories: