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Sherlock Holmes: Silver Earring Hints
I need help with the Number Board Puzzle!
1 of 12: If you haven't found the Number Board Puzzle, it is in what I call the Bedroom & Hobby Room (2nd door off of the hallway).
2 of 12: I know it looks like a complicated puzzle, but it's not really as daunting as it looks! If you can do simple addition, you can complete this puzzle.
The basic idea: Using the light and dark disks scattered around the outside edge, fill in the blank spots on the board so that each row (horizontal), column (vertical) and horizontal (corner to corner) row equals a certain number.
Study the board. The disks must be placed in alternating colors, so remember this while working it. When you complete it correctly, a coin will spit out the front (bottom). Note: When I refer to Light and Dark, I mean the DISK COLOR, not the color of the number.
3 of 12: Get a pad of paper and pencil ready (or a calculator).
It may help to work it out on paper. Click below for a printable version of the start of the puzzle.
Notice that I have assigned letters (A - J) to the columns and numbers (1 - 10) to the rows to help me explain them to you in these hints. Put on your thinking cap and let's solve this thing! (The full solution is in the very last hint.)
4 of 12: Look for rows, columns and horizontals that have only one blank spot. We'll start with those. The very top row (Row 1) needs only one, so we may as well do that one first. Add up the existing numbers.
5 of 12: 8+5+3+7+6+6+9+2+8 equals 54. Your goal is 55 ... so, you need what number and what color?
6 of 12: Pick up the Light No. 1 from the top left edge and place it in the blank spot at D-1. Wasn't that easy? (If you're working this on paper, mark off the Light #1 from the list.)
7 of 12: Look for another similar row and work it next.
8 of 12: Row 8 only has one blank spot, so let's do that one next.
9 of 12: The sum of all those number is ..
10 of 12: 47. 55 minus 47 is ... 8 and you'll need a Dark 8 for spot #B-8. (Mark the Dark #8 off of the available numbers list.)
11 of 12: The next obvious one will be column B, since you now have only one spot to fill (at position B-3). Add 'em up, subtract from 55 to see what you need and choose the proper colored number.
12 of 12: Continue until you have used up all of the disks and all spots are filled. Then collect the coin (called a "coin counter" in the game) from the bottom.
