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DSA Typescriptprogramming~20 mins

Sudoku Solver Using Backtracking in DSA Typescript - Practice Problems & Challenges

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Challenge - 5 Problems
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❓ Predict Output
intermediate
2:00remaining
What is the output of the Sudoku board after one step of backtracking?

Given the initial Sudoku board state, what will be the board after the first successful number placement by the backtracking algorithm?

DSA Typescript
const board = [
  [5,3,0,0,7,0,0,0,0],
  [6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],
  [0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],
  [8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],
  [4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],
  [7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],
  [0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],
  [0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],
  [0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]
];

// After one step of backtracking, the first 0 replaced with a valid number
// What is the updated board?
A[[5,3,1,0,7,0,0,0,0],[6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],[0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],[8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],[4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],[7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],[0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],[0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],[0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]]
B[[5,3,3,0,7,0,0,0,0],[6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],[0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],[8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],[4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],[7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],[0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],[0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],[0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]]
C[[5,3,2,0,7,0,0,0,0],[6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],[0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],[8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],[4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],[7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],[0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],[0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],[0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]]
D[[5,3,4,0,7,0,0,0,0],[6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],[0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],[8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],[4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],[7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],[0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],[0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],[0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]]
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint

Look for the first empty cell (0) and find the smallest valid number that fits according to Sudoku rules.

🧠 Conceptual
intermediate
1:30remaining
Which condition must be checked before placing a number in Sudoku backtracking?

Before placing a number in an empty cell during Sudoku backtracking, which of the following must be true?

AThe number is prime and not present in the same column only.
BThe number is greater than all numbers already placed in the board.
CThe number is even and not present in the same row only.
DThe number is not present in the same row, column, and 3x3 box.
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint

Sudoku rules require unique numbers in row, column, and box.

🔧 Debug
advanced
2:30remaining
What error occurs in this Sudoku backtracking code snippet?

Consider this TypeScript snippet for checking if a number can be placed:

function isSafe(board: number[][], row: number, col: number, num: number): boolean {
  for (let x = 0; x < 9; x++) {
    if (board[row][x] === num || board[x][col] === num) {
      return false;
    }
  }
  const startRow = row - row % 3;
  const startCol = col - col % 3;
  for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
    for (let j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
      if (board[startRow + i][startCol + j] === num) {
        return false;
      }
    }
  }
  return true;
}

// What error does this code cause if any?
ARuntime error due to accessing undefined indices in board array.
BNo error; the code runs correctly and returns true or false properly.
CSyntax error because of missing semicolons in the for loops.
DLogical error: the 3x3 box check uses wrong start indices causing wrong validation.
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint

Check the calculation of startRow and startCol and the loops for the 3x3 box.

🚀 Application
advanced
2:00remaining
How many recursive calls are made to solve a Sudoku board with backtracking?

Given a Sudoku board with 40 empty cells, approximately how many recursive calls will the backtracking algorithm make in the worst case?

ALess than 40 recursive calls because backtracking prunes invalid paths early.
BExactly 40 recursive calls, one per empty cell.
CUp to 9^40 recursive calls, since each cell can try 9 numbers.
DInfinite recursive calls due to no base case in backtracking.
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint

Consider the branching factor and depth of recursion in backtracking.

❓ Predict Output
expert
3:00remaining
What is the final solved Sudoku board after running the solver on this input?

Given this incomplete Sudoku board, what is the fully solved board after the backtracking solver completes?

DSA Typescript
const board = [
  [5,3,0,0,7,0,0,0,0],
  [6,0,0,1,9,5,0,0,0],
  [0,9,8,0,0,0,0,6,0],
  [8,0,0,0,6,0,0,0,3],
  [4,0,0,8,0,3,0,0,1],
  [7,0,0,0,2,0,0,0,6],
  [0,6,0,0,0,0,2,8,0],
  [0,0,0,4,1,9,0,0,5],
  [0,0,0,0,8,0,0,7,9]
];

// What is the solved board?
A[[5,3,4,6,7,8,9,1,2],[6,7,2,1,9,5,3,4,8],[1,9,8,3,4,2,5,6,7],[8,5,9,7,6,1,4,2,3],[4,2,6,8,5,3,7,9,1],[7,1,3,9,2,4,8,5,6],[9,6,1,5,3,7,2,8,4],[2,8,7,4,1,9,6,3,5],[3,4,5,2,8,6,1,7,9]]
B[5,3,4,6,7,8,9,1,2],[6,7,2,1,9,5,3,4,8],[1,9,8,3,4,2,5,6,7],[8,5,9,7,6,1,4,2,3],[4,2,6,8,5,3,7,9,1],[7,1,3,9,2,4,8,5,6],[9,6,1,5,3,7,2,8,4],[2,8,7,4,1,9,6,3,5],[3,4,5,2,8,6,1,7,9]]
C[[5,3,4,6,7,8,9,2,1],[6,7,2,1,9,5,3,4,8],[1,9,8,3,4,2,5,6,7],[8,5,9,7,6,1,4,3,2],[4,2,6,8,5,3,7,9,1],[7,1,3,9,2,4,8,5,6],[9,6,1,5,3,7,2,8,4],[2,8,7,4,1,9,6,3,5],[3,4,5,2,8,6,1,7,9]]
D]]9,7,1,6,8,2,5,4,3[,]5,3,6,9,1,4,7,8,2[,]4,8,2,7,3,5,1,6,9[,]6,5,8,4,2,9,3,1,7[,]1,9,7,3,5,8,6,2,4[,]3,2,4,1,6,7,9,5,8[,]7,6,5,2,4,3,8,9,1[,]8,4,3,5,9,1,2,7,6[,]2,1,9,8,7,6,4,3,5[[
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint

Check carefully the placement of numbers in the 8th and 9th columns of the first row.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main idea behind using backtracking to solve a Sudoku puzzle?
easy
A. Use a sorting algorithm to arrange numbers in each row
B. Try placing numbers one by one and backtrack if a conflict occurs
C. Fill all empty cells randomly and check if the puzzle is solved
D. Replace all zeros with the number 9 directly

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand backtracking approach

    Backtracking tries numbers in empty cells one by one and checks if they fit the Sudoku rules.
  2. Step 2: Handle conflicts by undoing choices

    If a number causes a conflict later, backtracking removes it and tries the next number.
  3. Final Answer:

    Try placing numbers one by one and backtrack if a conflict occurs -> Option B
  4. Quick Check:

    Backtracking = Try and undo choices [OK]
Hint: Backtracking means try, check, undo if needed [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking backtracking fills cells randomly
  • Assuming sorting solves Sudoku
  • Replacing zeros without checks
2. Which of the following TypeScript function signatures correctly represents a function to check if placing a number is valid in Sudoku?
easy
A. function isValid(board: number[][], row: number, col: number, num: number): boolean
B. function isValid(board: number[], row: number, col: number): number
C. function isValid(board: string[][], num: string): void
D. function isValid(board: number[][], num: number): string

Solution

  1. Step 1: Analyze function parameters

    The function needs the board (2D array), row, column, and number to check validity.
  2. Step 2: Check return type

    It should return a boolean indicating if placing the number is valid or not.
  3. Final Answer:

    function isValid(board: number[][], row: number, col: number, num: number): boolean -> Option A
  4. Quick Check:

    Correct parameters and boolean return [OK]
Hint: Check function inputs and boolean output for validity [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using wrong parameter types
  • Missing row or column parameters
  • Returning wrong data type
3. Given the following partial Sudoku board and the backtracking function call solveSudoku(board), what will be the value at board[0][2] after the first successful placement?
const board = [
  [5, 3, 0, 0, 7, 0, 0, 0, 0],
  [6, 0, 0, 1, 9, 5, 0, 0, 0],
  [0, 9, 8, 0, 0, 0, 0, 6, 0],
  [8, 0, 0, 0, 6, 0, 0, 0, 3],
  [4, 0, 0, 8, 0, 3, 0, 0, 1],
  [7, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 6],
  [0, 6, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 8, 0],
  [0, 0, 0, 4, 1, 9, 0, 0, 5],
  [0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 0, 0, 7, 9]
];
medium
A. 4
B. 2
C. 1
D. 7

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify empty cell and possible numbers

    At position (0,2), possible numbers are those not in row 0, column 2, or 3x3 box. Candidates: 1, 2, 4.
  2. Step 2: Check numbers 1 to 9 for validity

    1, 2, 4 are initially valid. Backtracking tries 1 first, recurses but backtracks due to later conflicts; tries 2, same; 4 succeeds and solves the puzzle.
  3. Final Answer:

    4 -> Option A
  4. Quick Check:

    First successful number placed = 4 [OK]
Hint: Check row, column, box for smallest valid number [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Choosing a number already in the same column
  • Ignoring 3x3 box constraints
  • Assuming first empty cell is filled with 1 always
4. Identify the bug in this TypeScript snippet for checking if a number can be placed in a Sudoku cell:
function isValid(board: number[][], row: number, col: number, num: number): boolean {
  for (let i = 0; i < 9; i++) {
    if (board[row][i] === num) return false;
    if (board[i][col] === num) return false;
  }
  const startRow = row - row % 3;
  const startCol = col - col % 3;
  for (let i = startRow; i < startRow + 3; i++) {
    for (let j = startCol; j < startCol + 3; j++) {
      if (board[i][j] === num) return false;
    }
  }
  return true;
}
medium
A. The function does not check the entire row correctly
B. The calculation of startRow and startCol is incorrect
C. The function checks the row and column twice causing errors
D. No bug; the function correctly checks validity

Solution

  1. Step 1: Review row and column checks

    The loop checks all cells in the given row and column for the number.
  2. Step 2: Review 3x3 box check

    startRow and startCol correctly find the top-left cell of the 3x3 box; nested loops check all 9 cells.
  3. Final Answer:

    No bug; the function correctly checks validity -> Option D
  4. Quick Check:

    All constraints checked properly [OK]
Hint: Check row, column, and box loops carefully [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Miscomputing startRow or startCol
  • Forgetting to check 3x3 box
  • Returning false too early
5. You want to optimize the Sudoku solver by stopping early when the puzzle is solved. Which modification to the backtracking function is best to achieve this?
hard
A. Only check rows and columns, skip 3x3 box checks
B. Continue trying all numbers in all cells even after solution found
C. Return true immediately when a valid number is placed in the last empty cell
D. Remove the base case and let recursion run fully

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand base case in backtracking

    The base case returns true when all cells are filled correctly, stopping recursion.
  2. Step 2: Modify to return true immediately on last cell

    Returning true immediately when the last empty cell is filled avoids unnecessary further checks.
  3. Final Answer:

    Return true immediately when a valid number is placed in the last empty cell -> Option C
  4. Quick Check:

    Stop recursion early by returning true [OK]
Hint: Return true at last cell to stop recursion early [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Ignoring base case and continuing recursion
  • Skipping box checks causing wrong solutions
  • Trying all numbers even after solution
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