Cross Math: Where Numbers Meet Logic
Cross Math might look like a crossword at first glance, but here you won’t be filling in words. Instead, every blank space in the grid hides a digit, and every row and column has to form a valid mathematical equation. Operators like +, −, ×, and ÷ are already printed; your task is to discover the missing numbers that make the math work.
❗️Before you start, it’s essential to know which rule set applies. Some versions of Cross Math are solved strictly left to right, ignoring the usual order of operations, while others follow PEMDAS. That small detail changes the entire solving experience, so always check the instructions first.
The rhythm of solving
The best way into a puzzle like this is to look for anchors—fixed numbers already in the grid or especially large totals like “=40” or “=48.” These are like doors half-open, inviting you to peek inside. Once you test a few possibilities around them, the structure of the grid begins to reveal itself.
Multiplication and division often give away their secrets earlier than addition or subtraction. A total of 48, for example, narrows the playing field to a handful of factor pairs, while a sum can hide dozens of possibilities. Starting here is like laying down the first stones of a bridge—you’ll need them to cross safely later.
Every placement matters twice, once in the row and once in the column. That’s the beauty of Cross Math: the puzzle keeps tugging you in two directions at once. Place a digit, then immediately glance up or across to see what it has changed. The satisfaction comes when a choice suddenly locks both ways and the numbers begin to fall into place.
Developing a solver’s eye
After a while, you start to recognize the quiet clues hidden in the arithmetic itself. A “−43” near the end of a line, for example, forces the starting number into a very narrow range. A “+1” at the finish tells you that the two preceding numbers must almost be twins. Even parity plays a role: odd and odd combine into an even, while an even multiplied by anything stays even.
Cross Math rewards patience, but it also rewards pattern recognition. Instead of jumping at guesses, let the numbers eliminate themselves. The puzzle is built so that contradictions appear quickly if you try the wrong path, and backing up one or two steps usually gets you back on track.
Why it’s worth trying
Cross Math feels like Sudoku’s cousin, but with arithmetic muscles flexed. It’s logical, numeric, and often surprisingly elegant once the final numbers click into place. If you’re curious, try the grid included here. Give yourself ten minutes, follow the numbers where they lead, and see how many equations you can complete before the clock runs out.