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Equation Detective Puzzle

Equation Detective – Level 1 – Hard

Other Puzzles

Use logic to match each shopper to the item they bought, the time they checked out, and the price they paid. Each value is used exactly once in each column.

Clues:
• It isn’t true that Alejandro didn’t use the £7 with the Water bottle.
• It isn’t true that Harry didn’t use the £12 with the Notebook set.
• The person at the 10:55am used the £24.
• The Backpack was scheduled at the 10:15am.
• Hoodie was scheduled earlier than Notebook set.
• Molly did not use the £24.
• The £18 was not used with the Water bottle.
• The £24 was not used with the Notebook set.
• Water bottle was scheduled earlier than Notebook set.
• Hoodie was scheduled later than Backpack.

Your Workings For Equation Detective

Enter your working out in this box, including your suggested solution.
Your Answers:
Name Checkout Time Item Bought Price Paid
Molly
Alejandro
Jack
Harry

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Reveal Answer
Additional instructions for Equation Detective (Level 1, Hard)

Equation Detective – Hard

Use constraint chains. Hard clues often create sequences like:
Person → Item → Price relationship → Day ordering.

Make chains explicit:

  • Write linked notes such as: Theo → salad → £3, then connect: £3 is £1 less than cookie → cookie = £4.
  • Use ordering clues (day before/after) to eliminate edge days immediately.
  • When two chains collide on the same category, you’ve got a forced deduction.

Tip: if you’ve got a near-complete price ladder, use it to test which remaining assignment keeps every “more/less/twice” clue true.

Full help: Equation Detective

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