This is a challenge that has a few elements. First of all there is the solving the puzzle.
You start with a grid like this.
To play, you need towers at 3 different heights, let’s say heights of 1, 2 and 3.
To solve the puzzle, you place towers (9 in all, 3 of each height) in the grid so that each side of the grid shows the number of skyscrapers that the numbers say.
So if it were a side that had 3, 2, 1. The towers might look like this. The 3 row would show 3 colours or 3 towers. The 1 row would show only 1 tower. Can you see why this would happen? Where would the 3 towers be in each of these cases? Can you start to see how this helps you to place the towers?
Here’s another arrangement for a 2, 2, 1 side this time:
Once you’ve done this puzzle, see if you can come up with your own puzzle. There aren’t many ways to set up a puzzle for 3 by 3 skyscraper grids. See how many ways you can find. Download the puzzle template to get started
4 by 4 Skyscraper grids
Once you’ve tried the 3 by 3 grids, try some 4 by 4 ones. You can find lots of puzzles at Mark Chubb’s amazing blog ranging from easy ones to quite tricky ones. Find them at https://buildingmathematicians.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/skyscraper-templates/
