Pointing Pair & Triple
A digit whose only homes within a 3×3 box lie on a single row or column. Eliminate it from the rest of that row or column.
Intermediate sudoku technique
What it is
A pointing pair (two cells) or pointing triple (three cells) is a candidate-elimination pattern. Inside a 3×3 box, look at where a digit could go. If every viable cell sits in the same row, the digit MUST end up in that row — which means it cannot appear in that row outside the box. The same logic applies to columns. Pointing techniques don't place digits directly; they prune candidates so that naked or hidden singles become visible.
When to use it
When singles have run dry but the candidate grid is still busy. Look at each box one digit at a time: 'where can 4 go in box 3?' If the candidates align in a row or column, you have a pointing pair or triple.
Worked example
In box 1 (top-left), the digit 6 can only go in R1C1 or R1C3 — both in row 1. So 6 must be placed somewhere in row 1 of box 1. That means 6 cannot appear in row 1 of any OTHER box: R1C4, R1C5, R1C6, R1C7, R1C8, R1C9 all lose their 6 candidate.
Try it
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