stuck trying to solve The Game of 15? Also called "15 Tablet Puzzles", this activity can prove to be quite a challenge, but you'll be able to solve it quickly once you begin to understand the process. Whether it's a 3x3, 4x4, 5x5 or even bigger grid, it's easy to resolve the issue if you start in the upper left corner and work your way down until you have only one 3x2 grid to deal with.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Solving the Top Row
Step 1. Draw a grid revealing how the inserts should be ordered
To keep track of where each should be, it's helpful to draw this grid on a sheet of paper. Mark each square with numbers referencing the order they will be in when the puzzle is solved. Many of these games already have numbered inserts, which makes it easy to know the order in which they belong.
- In most cases, you'll have to place them in numerical order, starting with 1 in the upper left corner and going down the rows from left to right.
- These puzzles may not contain numbers on the tablets. In that case, number each of them. If an insert has the upper left corner of a face, for example, make it the first on your grid. Starting at the corners and working towards the middle is a good way to define the image insert numbers.
Step 2. Move the first insert to the upper left corner
When you have numbered them, the first move will be to put the number 1 insert in its place. Using the only empty space left, move the adjacent inserts until the first one is in place. Then keep it there for the rest of the time.
When moving inserts, note in advance how far the insert is being moved from where it should go. This will help you create a strategy to reach your destination with as few moves as possible
Step 3. Arrange all inserts in the first row except the last two
If solving a 3x3 grid, skip this step. On even larger grids, arrange all inserts in the first row except the last two. Do this until they are all in place, leaving the last two for later.
- In a 4v4 game, move the number 2 tile to the place immediately to the right of the number 1 tile.
- In a 5v5 game, move the 2 and 3 number tiles to their respective positions in the first row.
Step 4. Take the last insert from the first row
If the last insert is in the top row, it will be difficult to place it immediately to your left. If the upper right insert is in the first row, take it out for now.
- In a 3v3 game, the last tile will be the number 3.
- In a 4v4 game, the last tile will be the number 4.
- In a 5v5 game, the last tile will be the number 5.
Step 5. Move the second-to-last insert to the upper right corner
The second to last will be in the top row before the last one is replaced.
- In a 3v3 game, the penultimate tile will be the number 2.
- In a 4v4 game, the penultimate tile will be the number 3.
- In a 5v5 game, the penultimate tile will be the number 4.
Step 6. Move the last insert directly under the upper right corner
This prepares the game so that it is easy to move the last two in order to the top row.
Step 7. Move the last two to their positions
Move the inserts until the empty space is immediately to the left of the upper right corner. Now, bring the penultimate one to this space. With the top right corner, you can now move the last insert to it.
You have now solved the top row. Leave it intact for the rest of the process
Method 2 of 3: Solving the Left Column
Step 1. Move the second insert from the left column directly under the first
Now that the top row is ready, it's time to advance to the left column. If you are dealing with a 3v3 game, you can proceed to the "Resolving the remaining 3v2 game" section. Otherwise, continue in the same way as on the top row, but now on the opposite axis. Move the second insert from the left column into the space just below the upper left corner.
- In a 4v4 game, the next tile in the left column will be number 5.
- In a 5v5 game, the next tile in the left column will be number 6.
Step 2. Arrange all inserts in the left column except for the last two
As with the top row, you should arrange the left column so that all the inserts except the last two are in place. If it is a 4v4 game, you will have already achieved this feat in the previous step. Otherwise, continue to organize the left column until there are only two left to finish the column.
In a 5v5 game, these two inserts will be numbers 16 and 21
Step 3. Take the last insert from the left column
Here the same is being done in the left column as in the top row. This indicates that the last one (which will eventually inhabit the lower left corner) cannot be in that column until it is possible to arrange the last two inserts together.
Step 4. Move the second-to-last insert to the lower left corner
It will eventually be placed in the space immediately above the lower left corner.
- In a 4v4 game, the penultimate tile is number 9.
- In a 5v5 game, the penultimate tile is number 16.
Step 5. Move the last insert directly to the right of the lower left corner
This makes it easy to arrange the last two inserts in this column in the same way as in the top row.
Step 6. Move the last two inserts into position
To finish this column, move them until you can go up the penultimate one by one space. You now have an open corner for the last insert in the column. Move it to the lower left corner, which is empty.
Leave the left column intact for the rest of the process, as will the top row
Method 3 of 3: Solving the remaining 3v2 game
Step 1. Repeat the first two methods until only a 3x2 grid remains
If you started with the top row and left column, you can solve games of any size by dividing them into smaller and smaller grids. Continue solving the top row and left column as many times as necessary until you have a 3x2 grid with five more tiles to sort.
- In a 4x4 game, you will have a 3x3 grid to solve after taking care of the two initial methods. Repeating the first method ("Solving the top row") will leave you with a 3x2 grid remaining.
- In a 5x5 game, the new one will be a 4x4 grid and you will have to repeat each of the two initial methods ("Solving the top row" and "Solving the left column").
Step 2. Place the upper left insert in the lower left space
At that point, the game gets a little more difficult. Fortunately, there are only five inserts to move and a very limited number of ways to do it. Preparing the left column is a good start.
- In a 3v3 game, the top left tile in the 3v2 game is number 4.
- In a 4v4 game, the top left tile in the 3v2 game is number 10.
- In a 5v5 game, the top left chip in the 3v2 game is number 18.
Step 3. Place the lower left insert to the right of its space
If it is possible to move the lower left tile to the space immediately to the right of where it should go, it is possible to arrange the left column of the 3x2 game in the same way that rows and columns were completed in the previous methods.
- In a 3v3 game, the lower left tile in the 3v2 game is number 7.
- In a 4v4 game, the lower left tile in the 3v2 game is number 14.
- In a 5v5 game, the lower left tile in the 3v2 game is number 23.
Step 4. Move the left inserts into place
Arrange the 3x2 game so that the top left corner is empty. Move the upper left insert up and the lower left insert into place. At this point, there will be only one 2v2 game left to be organized.
Step 5. Move the remaining pieces to their proper places
There will now be only three inserts left and you don't have to do a lot of movement to order them properly. Rotate them until they are in place. Congratulations! You solved the 15 game!
Tips
- Games like this, made of plastic, wood or metal, are available for purchase at various stores, both online and physical. You can pay a visit to a toy store if you want to give them to a child.
- There are also several pages online with sliding games that can be tried out for free.
- If done poorly, games of this genre can sometimes be unsolvable. Still, reputable stores and pages will always craft solvable products.