← Curifold Puzzle School · 7 minutes ·
Ava, Ben and Cora each choose one different ribbon: red, blue or green. Every colour is used once. Use a grid to keep definite matches and exclusions visible.
- Cross: a pairing is ruled out
- Tick: one possibility remains
- Propagate: row and column
The idea
Cross out a pairing only when a clue or deduction excludes it. When a row has one possibility, mark that match and exclude the other cells in its column. A column with one possible person works the same way. This depends on the one-to-one rule: if colours could be shared, a match would not exclude everyone else from its column.
Try it yourself
The clues
- Cora chose green.
- Ava did not choose red.
- Ben did not choose blue.
- Each person chose one ribbon and each colour was used once.
| Person | Red | Blue | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ava | |||
| Ben | |||
| Cora |
Hint 1
Place Cora’s match and remove green from the other rows.
Hint 2
Ava has neither red nor green; complete Ava, then Ben.
Which ribbon did Ava choose?
The clue explicitly rules out red for Ava.
Green belongs to Cora, and red is excluded, so only blue remains for Ava.
The colours are different, and green already belongs to Cora.
Read all responses and explanations
Red
The clue explicitly rules out red for Ava.
Blue
Green belongs to Cora, and red is excluded, so only blue remains for Ava.
Green
The colours are different, and green already belongs to Cora.
Why can you exclude green for Ben?
A name gives no information about the ribbon choice. Use the clues rather than a personality story.
The match plus the one-to-one rule excludes everyone else from that colour.
A grid’s visual pattern is not a solving rule; different solutions produce different shapes.
Read all responses and explanations
Ben sounds like a red-ribbon person.
A name gives no information about the ribbon choice. Use the clues rather than a personality story.
Cora has green and each colour is used once.
The match plus the one-to-one rule excludes everyone else from that colour.
Ticks must form a diagonal.
A grid’s visual pattern is not a solving rule; different solutions produce different shapes.
Reveal the complete solution
Ava has blue, Ben red, and Cora green. All clues hold. Exactly one of the six one-to-one assignments fits.
Make it your own
Solve again starting with another clue. Your reasoning order may change, but every tick still needs a reason. Number your deductions so somebody else can follow them.
Your takeaway
- Draw the three person rows
- Draw the three colour columns
- Mark direct matches and exclusions
- Record the full assignment
- Explain a row deduction and a column deduction
No account required. Completion is saved only on this device. Answers and notes disappear when you leave or reload this page. The printable sheet is blank for your own notes.
Original fictional educational practice, separate from the puzzles sold in the books. Use the stated rules; there is no speed target or score.
Read the related journal guide · Continue exploring the lessons
Original educational content by Andrew Stinson Books, developed with AI assistance. Our editorial approach.