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3-cell cage with sum 10 in Killer Sudoku: possible combinations

By Andrew Boyko, developer of CageDoku · Updated

A 3-cell Killer Sudoku cage that adds up to 10 has 4 possible digit sets: 1-2-7, 1-3-6, 1-4-5, 2-3-5.

Digits in this cage

Combinations1 2 71 3 61 4 52 3 5
Always in the cagenone
Never in the cage8, 9
Candidates for every cell1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

How to use it

Write the candidates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in every cell of the cage and cross out everything else. If the cage lies inside a single row, column or box, any digit that must be in the cage can be removed from the rest of that region. Also watch rows, columns and boxes that already contain some of these digits: a cell that sees a digit cannot hold it, and a combination that needs it can be ruled out.

If you know one digit

Once you place or deduce a digit in the cage, only the combinations containing it remain:

DigitRemaining combinations#
11 2 71 3 61 4 53
21 2 72 3 52
31 3 62 3 52
41 4 51
51 4 52 3 52
61 3 61
71 2 71

Neighbouring sums

Sum 9 (3 combinations) · Sum 11 (5 combinations). See the full 3-cell chart or use the calculator to add must-have or excluded digits.

Frequently asked questions

Which digits can a 3-cell cage with sum 10 contain?

Only 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The digits 8, 9 never appear in this cage.

How many combinations make 10 with 3 different digits?

4: 1-2-7, 1-3-6, 1-4-5, 2-3-5.

Which digits are always in a 3-cell cage that sums to 10?

No single digit is in every combination, so you have to narrow it down with the row, column or box.

Practice this cage. Try it in a real puzzle: play in your browser (free, no ads) or get the CageDoku app.

Practice it in CageDoku

Free, ad-free Killer Sudoku and seven more variants. Hints name the technique and highlight the cells, so you learn why a digit goes where it goes.

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