Patches #8 Hints & Answer

Here is the full answer to Patches puzzle #8. You fill every cell with rectangles, each holding exactly one clue. The solve falls into 7 stages — start from the clues whose size and shape leave only one option, then chain the deductions.

Step-by-step solution

1. Step 1

   Work the square clue around row 5, col 6. With 1 cells to cover and a fixed shape, only one rectangle fits without overlapping a neighbour. Commit to it and the board tightens.

2. Step 2

   Look at the wide clue near row 1, col 4. Its number 5 fixes the rectangle’s area, so draw the block that covers exactly 5 cells around it without touching another clue. Lock it in before moving on.

3. Step 3

   The wide clue at row 4, col 3 can only be filled one way: a rectangle of area 5 that matches its proportions. Place it now — once it is down, the cells beside it stop being ambiguous.

4. Step 4

   Work the wide clue around row 5, col 4. With 5 cells to cover and a fixed shape, only one rectangle fits without overlapping a neighbour. Commit to it and the board tightens.

5. Step 5

   Look at the wide clue near row 3, col 3. Its number 10 fixes the rectangle’s area, so draw the block that covers exactly 10 cells around it without touching another clue. Lock it in before moving on.

6. Step 6

   The wide clue at row 6, col 1 can only be filled one way: a rectangle of area 6 that matches its proportions. Place it now — once it is down, the cells beside it stop being ambiguous.

7. Step 7

   Finally resolve the dashed any-shape clue near row 4, col 6. Its rectangle can be any proportion, so fill it last — the surrounding blocks now leave only one valid placement that covers every remaining cell.