In my Seminar class, I had the opportunity to research the mathematics behind the popular puzzle game Sudoku. The goal of Sudoku is to fill in a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, row, and 3×3 section contain the numbers between 1 to 9. At the beginning of the game, the 9×9 grid will have some of the squares filled in. You can solve a sudoku puzzle using logical deduction or deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is the process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion. In Sudoku, your “given statements” are the number clues given to you. You can use these to arrive at conclusions to what value should be placed in each square. For example, if eight of the nine elements in any row, column or block are already determined, we can come to the conclusion that the final element has to be the one that is missing since no element can be repeated. Also, concepts from modern abstract algebra are used to create Sudoku puzzles.