Naked triples extend the naked pair idea. Three cells in a group share three candidates between them. None of those numbers can appear elsewhere in that group.
What is a naked triple?
When three cells in a row, column, or box contain only candidates from the same set of three numbers, those three numbers are locked to those cells. Remove them from other cells in the group.
Three cells contain only 1, 3, and 4 between them. Remove 1, 3, 4 from other cells.
Not all cells need all three
A naked triple does not require each cell to have all three candidates. As long as three cells together use only three different numbers, it counts.
- Example: cells with (1,4), (1,3,4), and (3,4) form a naked triple of 1, 3, 4.
- The key: three cells, three candidates total, no other numbers in any of them.
How to find them
Look for cells with two or three candidates. If you find three cells whose combined candidates use only three numbers, you have a naked triple.
- Identify cells with two or three candidates in a group.
- Check if any three of them share only three different numbers total.
- Confirm no cell in the triple has a fourth candidate.
- Remove those three numbers from all other cells in the group.
Cells with (2,5), (2,5,9), and (5,9) form a triple. Remove 2, 5, 9 from other cells.
Tips
- Start by finding cells with exactly two candidates. They often participate in triples.
- Triples appear more often in boxes than in rows or columns.
- After eliminating, check for new pairs or singles.
Practice
Naked triples take practice to spot. Start with pairs, then look for a third cell that fits the pattern.