Combination puzzle

Generally, combination puzzles also include mathematically defined examples that have not been, or are impossible to, physically construct.

Often, the solution is required to be some recognisable pattern such as "all like colours together" or "all numbers in order".

The mechanical construction of the puzzle will usually define the rules by which the combination of pieces can be altered.

Similarly, not all the combinations that are mechanically possible from a disassembled cube are possible by manipulation of the puzzle.

The puzzle can be realized entirely in virtual space or as a set of mathematical statements.

The ones listed in the table below are included because the pattern in some way affects the difficulty of the solution or is notable in some other way.

[12][13] Horowitz first encountered the original Sudoku puzzle when a woman sitting next to him on a plane ride explained it to him.

[12][13] Horowitz worked for a month until he figured out how to combine the two puzzles together, and then when he figured it out, he "did not sleep for three days" while he worked out how to best arrange the numbers to create 18 unique Sudoku puzzles within the cube.

[13][14] Mass production was completed in China by American Classic Toy Inc, a company belonging to Horowitz.

[12][13] Adrienne Citrin, the spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association, mentioned that Sudoku fans who felt like they had mastered the original paper version of the puzzle were interested in the new product.

[13] The product was originally launched in the US and then sold internationally, exporting to Spain, France, South Africa and the United Kingdom.