Awesome Math 2011

1 Prime KenKen V

In the regular puzzle KenKen, the numbers in each heavily outlined set of
squares, called cages, must combine (in any order) to produce the target num-
ber in the top corner of the cage using the mathematical operation indicated.
A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not in the same row
or column. In this 4 × 4 puzzle, the four numbers are known only to be
prime numbers. In contrast to most KenKen puzzles, here you must figure
out which operations produce the target numbers. Of course any cage with
more than two cells must be multiplication or addition.

2 19 14

10

24 10 34

36

1
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Solution. Since 19 is odd, there must be a 2 in the cage [19] and since
21 is not prime, the cage cannot be a subtraction cage. Therefore {[19]} =
{[19+]} = {2, 17}. Let’s locate the 2 in row d. It cannot be in the cage [36]
or in the cage [24], so d4 = 2. Now the 2 in row c must be in the [10] cage,
so it must be multiplicative and {[10×]} = {2, 5}. Summarizing, we have

1 2 3 4
2 19 14

a
2, 17

10

b 2, 17

24 10 34

c 17
2, 5 2, 5

36

d 2

2
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A little puzzling enables us to place all four 2’s and their partners.

1 2 3 4
2 19 14

a 2
10

b 2 5 17
24 10 34

c 2 5 17
36

d 2

3
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This leaves only two places for the other two 5’s. The complete solution
is given below.

1 2 3 4
2 19 14

a 17 19 2 5
10

b 2 5 17 19
24 10 34

c 19 2 5 17
36

d 5 17 19 2