The story behind the popular game of numbers

SUDOKU, FUN WITH NUMBERS 

When you open the puzzles page in a newspaper, have you ever wondered about those blank grids with a few scattered numbers? They're Sudoku puzzles - a global craze!

In this game, you fill in the grid with singular, unique numbers. That’s where the name comes from: su means number and doku means single. Though the name is Japanese, the puzzle was actually created by American architect Howard Garns in 1979. He called it Number Place, but it didn't gain much popularity in the US. Japanese publishers discovered it in the 1980s, renamed it Sudoku, and by 1984, it was a sensation in Japan. 

Twenty years later, Hong Kong judge Wayne Gould came across Sudoku during a visit to Tokyo. He introduced it to The Times in London in 2004, sparkling a worldwide craze. By 2005, newspapers across Europe, India, and beyond had embraced Sudoku, and the puzzle's popularity has only grown since. 

Sudoku is simple but addictive. A classic puzzle features a grid of 9 large boxes, each divided into a 3X3 grid. Your task is to fill in the empty cells so that:

1. Each horizontal row contains the numbers 1 to 9 without repetition. 

2. Each vertical column contains the numbers 1 to 9 without repetition. 

3. Each 3X3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 without repetition. 

It's not about Math - just logic and patience. With practice, you'll get better at spotting patterns and solving puzzles step by step. 

The fun doesn't stop there! You can swap numbers for letters, symbols or pictures and still follow the same rules. Modern variants, like jigsaw Sudoku or the tricky killer Sudoku, make it more exciting. 

Remember, every Sudoku puzzle is a test of logic, persistence and problem-solving. Ready to give it a try?

Do you know

WHY DO OLD BATTERIES LEAK?

Batteries generate electricity through chemical reactions that move electrons between terminals. In alkaline batteries, a gel called potassium hydroxide conducts electricity. Over time, as the battery works, hydrogen gas builds up inside the sealed casing, increasing pressure. This can create tiny cracks in the metal, causing potassium hydroxide to leak.

When exposed to air, it reacts with carbon dioxide, forming a crust of potassium carbonate, which is harmless. However, potassium hydroxide itself can irritate the skin. To safely dispose the leaking batteries, place them in a plastic bag and take them to a recycling center. Proper disposal prevents environmental harm and keeps everyone safe.

An Accidental Genius

A STICKY STORY OF POST-IT NOTES 

Ever wondered about everyday things that turned out to be accidental strokes of genius? Well, let’s dive into the quirky tale of Post-it Notes – those handy, sticky pals that found their way into our lives in the most unexpected way.

Once upon a time, in a 3M lab in 1968, a scientist named Dr. Spencer Silver was working on a super-strong adhesive that could be used in aircraft construction. But guess what? He didn’t quite get what he wanted. Instead, he accidentally created a not-so-sticky adhesive.

Fast forward to a few years later, another 3M employee named Art Fry was singing in his church choir. He got frustrated when his bookmarks kept falling out of his hymn book. That’s when the light bulb went off in his head. He remembered Dr. Silver’s not-so-sticky adhesive!

Art took some of that magic not-so-sticky stuff, applied it to paper, and just like that – the Post-it Note was born! They were perfect for sticking things together without leaving a mess behind. The accidental genius of Dr. Silver’s not-so-sticky glue turned out to be a game-changer.

These colourful squares soon found their way onto desks, notebooks and fridges all around the world. People loved them for leaving messages, jotting down quick ideas and making colourful reminders.

What makes Post-it Notes quirky and cool is that they started as a ‘whoops’ moment in a lab. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best discoveries happen when you’re not looking for them. Imagine a world without these sticky wonders – pretty dull, right?

So, the next time you’re jotting down notes on a Post-it, remember the accidental brilliance behind it. It’s a reminder that genius can pop up in the most unexpected places, turning a not-so-sticky situation into a colourful burst of creativity!

The best method for setting priorities

A-B-C-D-E

All successful people focus their time and energy on their work of highest value. Good performance is about the capacity to focus and concentrate on the job of top priority. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by too many things to do and too little time in which to do them, sit down, take a deep breath, and list all those tasks you need to accomplish.

The best method for setting priorities is the A-B-C-D-E Method.

“A” stands for “very important”, something you must do. It is going to decide your success or failure.

“B” stands for “important”, something you should do. This is not as important as your ‘A’ tasks.

“C” stands for things that are “nice to do”, but which are not as important as ‘A’ or ‘B’ tasks.

“D” stands for “delegate.” You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.

“E” stands for “eliminate, whenever possible.” You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.

When you use the A-B-C-D-E method, you can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will make us be focused on those items on your list that are most essential for you to do.

Do you know

HOW LOUD IS A SUPERSONIC PLANE?

Supersonic planes, like the Concorde or modern supersonic jets, create a sonic boom while flying faster than the speed of sound (about 767 mph or 1,235 km/h). The sonic boom is a thunder-like noise resulting from shockwaves produced by the aircraft. The loudness of a supersonic plane depends on various factors, including altitude and distance from the flight path. At ground level, a sonic boom can reach around 120 decibels, similar to a thunderclap. However, advancements in aerodynamics aim to minimise these disturbances. Newer supersonic planes incorporate design features to lessen the intensity of sonic booms, considering environmental impact and comfort.

A Creative Career Path

CHOREOGRAPHY

Are you passionate about dance and love to move to the rhythm of music? Have you ever thought about becoming a choreographer? It’s a fun and fulfilling career option for kids who have a flair for creativity and enjoy working with dancers.

Choreographers are like the directors of dance. They create dance routines and movements that tell a story or convey emotions. Whether it’s for a stage performance, a music video or a movie, choreographers play a crucial role in bringing dance to life.

To become a choreographer, you don’t necessarily need formal education, but it’s helpful to have a strong background in dance. Many choreographers start by giving dance classes from a young age and continue to refine their skills over time. Some also pursue degrees in dance or performing arts to deepen their understanding of movement and choreography techniques.

A typical day for a choreographer involves a lot of creativity and collaboration. They might start by brainstorming ideas for a new dance piece, then work with dancers to teach them the choreography. They also spend time rehearsing and refining the routine until it’s perfect. In addition to working with dancers, choreographers often collaborate with music composers, costume designers and stage directors to bring their vision to life.

While choreography can be incredibly rewarding, it also comes with its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is finding work consistently, especially when starting out. Competition can be tough, and it may take time to build a reputation and establish yourself in the industry. Additionally, choreographers often face pressure to come up with fresh and innovative ideas, which can sometimes lead to creative blocks.

Despite the challenges, being a choreographer offers endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Whether you dream of choreographing Broadway shows, music videos for your favourite artists or dance routines for movies, pursuing a career in choreography can lead to a lifetime of exciting opportunities.

So, if you’re passionate about dance and love to express yourself through movement, consider exploring choreography as a career option. Who knows? You might just be the next big name in the world of dance!

Six powerful teachers

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW

Knowing the answers will help you in school. Knowing how to ask questions will help you in life.- Warren Berger

Questioning, a life skill: Questioning is the ability to organise our thinking around what we don’t know. This is an essential skill today. Doubting the existence of something is always a good habit, as in doing so, we are led to question, and by questioning, we arrive at the truth.

Questioning is the fountainhead of knowledge. In the early days, people wondered as to who created the world and arrived at the simplified explanation that one was created by a supernatural being. But as more people searched further for the how and why, more civilised our society got. We questioned why some animals resemble some others, and got the answer that all animals have evolved from a common ancestor. We proved that we are not created but we have evolved over 3.5 billion years. All the knowledge we possess is the product of questioning. Questioning is not the exclusive right of the police detectives, it is a universal skill. Your calibre of questions is assessed more critically than the answers provided by parents, teachers and friends.

Six teachers: Questioning gives you answers that will make you resourceful in science, maths, geography and even in various languages. WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW are the six powerful teachers.

For instance, have you ever taken time to observe your surroundings or the sky? Especially in the twilight and night sky, have you noticed the four stars in the early evening sky? Have you wondered what they are? Indeed , these are not stars, they are planets, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. You know that the brightest one is Venus, but have you questioned why Venus is so bright? And have ever wondered what that red planet is? The red one is Mars, and it appears red as it has iron oxide on its surface.

Questioning can lead to understanding delightful facts about our world, and it can be a source of much wonder and joy, giving us contentment and pride. This curiosity further motivates you to ask more questions, which is where we summon our six teachers.

The art of questioning: The art of questioning can be mastered with practice. You may just listen to the questioning of well-known personalities on television. Questions must be constructed and asked logically in such a way that the motive of what you want to know is communicated to the person being questioned. One must also question keeping in mind niceties and the sensitive nature of certain information and questions.

Basic questions: Questioning has changed the history of humankind. Concepts like gravity, earth’s rotation on its orbit and revolution around the sun were all the answers arrived at by people who relentlessly asked questions about it and sought answers. Similarly, if you begin questioning your life too can change. Some of the life changing questions that you should ask are: Who am I? Am I related with people around me? What do I want to do and get from my life? How can I contribute to my world, school or my house? What are my strengths and weaknesses? Where am I? and Where do I want to reach? Such questions will help you to change the course if necessary and keep you on the right course.

Question everything: He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. If you question everything, you will not believe in many things that you believe in today. Questioning is the mother of knowledge. Never stop questioning.