The case notes
How a Skyscraper clue works
Read the digits as building heights from the outside clue. A taller digit hides shorter digits behind it; the clue counts visible buildings. Watch a worked example, then try the idea in a puzzle.
Put it into practice
Look from the clue
In a Skyscraper puzzle, each digit is a building height. Look along the row from the outside clue, as if you were standing at that edge.
Taller buildings hide shorter ones
You can see a building only when it is taller than every building before it. A tall digit hides shorter ones farther down the row.
One visible means 9 first
This clue says just one building is visible. The first cell must be nine. If it were any shorter, the nine later in the row would come into view as a second building.
Count new heights
From this side, nine hides every smaller digit behind it. Count new heights as you scan; the number you can see must match the clue.
Read the transcript
In a Skyscraper puzzle, each digit is a building height. Look along the row from the outside clue, as if you were standing at that edge. You can see a building only when it is taller than every building before it. A tall digit hides shorter ones farther down the row. This clue says just one building is visible. The first cell must be nine. If it were any shorter, the nine later in the row would come into view as a second building. From this side, nine hides every smaller digit behind it. Count new heights as you scan; the number you can see must match the clue.
