Definition:Skeleton Puzzle

Definition
A skeleton puzzle is an arithmetical calculation, presented with the full working by means of the appropriate classical algorithm, in which most or all of the digits have been obscured.

It is usual to present such a skeleton puzzle with the obscured digits replaced by asterisks.

The object of the puzzle is to work out what the digits were.

There may or may not be constraints on the values or configurations of the resulting digits, which will be stated in the rubric of the puzzle.

Also known as
A skeleton puzzle can also be seen referred to as:
 * a missing digit puzzle or missing digits puzzle
 * a missing-number puzzle
 * a missing-figure puzzle

with or without the hyphen or plural form.

Also see

 * Definition:Cryptarithm