Final Exam Exercises

Each puzzle in this section was chosen because it can be expressed as an exact cover problem, and the Algorithm X setup is straightforward. These puzzles will test your understanding of Algorithm X without requiring any problem-space reduction or complex action enumeration strategies.

After finishing each one, take a moment to review only the code you wrote. Reflect on the time and effort it took to pass all test cases. When you consider the AlgorithmXSolver code you had to include in your source file, your solution might feel like “overkill.” But imagine if that solver came from a library you simply imported — would it feel the same? You might instead appreciate how much Algorithm X streamlined the process and how powerful it is to have a reusable architecture that handles a wide range of structurally similar problems once the details are abstracted away.

Good luck — and enjoy the elegance of Algorithm X!