Solve a Fifteen Puzzle

A fifteen puzzle is a puzzle made of a hollow metal square with fifteen tiles sliding across it, all engraved with numbers. The object is to arrange all tiles in numerical order, left to right, starting with the top row.

Steps

  1. Randomize the fifteen puzzle, or have a friend mix it up for you, so that you don't cheat.
  2. Locate the tile marked 1, and the empty space tile. If the 1 tile is in the top-left corner, skip the next step.
  3. Slide a tile into the empty space so that the space is closer to the 1 tile. Continue to do so until it is directly left or above the 1 tile. Move 1 into that space, and then move the other tiles surrounding the space until the space is again directly left or above the 1 tile. Don't worry about the other tiles.
  4. Eventually, using this system, you should get the 1 tile into the top left hand corner. Without disturbing it, do the same with 2 and 3.
  5. Move the 4 directly below where the tile should be.
  6. Use these steps to get the 4 in place:
  7. Using the same tactic that you used to get the first row in place, solve the first column, on the far left side. Those numbers are 1, 5, 9, and 13. Doing this column helps make the last step easier.
  8. Finish the first 2 rows.
  9. Do the last rows. Do not change the column that you completed; just move the remaining 6 tiles. Use brute force, as this part is not complex.



Tips

  • Try not to hold the fifteen puzzle vertically, because the tiles will fall around and possibly get stuck.

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Sources and Citations

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