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Past puzzleAugust 5, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: August 5, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from August 5, 2026 (2026-08-05) with hints and answers for every level.

August 5, 2026

Pips hints and answers

Use the board and domino inventory as your reference. Each level has separate area clues, an optional placement from the recorded answer, and its complete solution.

Easy · 5 pieces

Easy board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2Sum > 4
A3Sum = 8
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum = 8
A3Sum = 8
A6Sum < 2
A7Sum < 2
A5Sum = 8
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 4Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 8Area 6: Sum < 2Area 7: Sum < 2

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 6-6; Piece 2: 6-5; Piece 3: 3-6; Piece 4: 3-1; Piece 5: 2-1.

Where to look

Area 2 has 1 cell: Sum > 4. Look at row 1, column 6.

A local clue for Area 3

The two cells in Area 3 must total 8. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 2 + 6; 3 + 5; 4 + 4.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 2 (6 | 5), vertical: row 1, column 6 has 6, paired with row 2, column 6 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13No rule
A26Sum > 4
A36Sum = 8
A46All equal
A46All equal
A55Sum = 8
A32Sum = 8
A61Sum < 2
A71Sum < 2
A53Sum = 8
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 4Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 8Area 6: Sum < 2Area 7: Sum < 2

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (6 | 6): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 6, paired with row 2, column 4 = 6.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 5): vertical; row 1, column 6 = 6, paired with row 2, column 6 = 5.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 6): vertical; row 1, column 1 = 3, paired with row 2, column 1 = 6.
  4. Piece 4 (3 | 1): horizontal; row 3, column 6 = 3, paired with row 3, column 5 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (2 | 1): horizontal; row 3, column 1 = 2, paired with row 3, column 2 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 4. 6 = 6 > 4.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 8. 6 + 2 = 8; target 8.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 8. 5 + 3 = 8; target 8.
  6. Area 6: Sum < 2. 1 = 1 < 2.
  7. Area 7: Sum < 2. 1 = 1 < 2.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

5 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A1All equal
A2Sum = 1
A3Sum > 4
A4Sum > 2
A5Sum < 4
A5Sum < 4
A3Sum > 4
A6All equal
A7All equal
A7All equal
A7All equal
A6All equal
A7All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 1Area 3: Sum > 4Area 4: Sum > 2Area 5: Sum < 4Area 6: All equalArea 7: All equal

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 5-2; Piece 2: 1-1; Piece 3: 0-6; Piece 4: 5-1; Piece 5: 1-0; Piece 6: 2-2; Piece 7: 2-1.

Where to look

Area 2 has 1 cell: Sum = 1. Look at row 2, column 3.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 4 (5 | 1), horizontal: row 2, column 4 has 5, paired with row 2, column 3 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

5 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A12All equal
A12All equal
A21Sum = 1
A35Sum > 4
A46Sum > 2
A50Sum < 4
A50Sum < 4
A35Sum > 4
A62All equal
A71All equal
A71All equal
A71All equal
A62All equal
A71All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 1Area 3: Sum > 4Area 4: Sum > 2Area 5: Sum < 4Area 6: All equalArea 7: All equal

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (5 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 5, paired with row 3, column 5 = 2.
  2. Piece 2 (1 | 1): vertical; row 4, column 2 = 1, paired with row 5, column 2 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 6): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 0, paired with row 3, column 1 = 6.
  4. Piece 4 (5 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 5, paired with row 2, column 3 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (1 | 0): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 1, paired with row 3, column 3 = 0.
  6. Piece 6 (2 | 2): vertical; row 1, column 2 = 2, paired with row 2, column 2 = 2.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 1): horizontal; row 4, column 5 = 2, paired with row 4, column 4 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  3. Area 3: Sum > 4. 5 + 5 = 10 > 4.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 2. 6 = 6 > 2.
  5. Area 5: Sum < 4. 0 + 0 = 0 < 4.
  6. Area 6: All equal. 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.

Hard · 15 pieces

Hard board

7 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A1All equal
A1All equal
A1All equal
A2All equal
A3Sum > 4
A4Sum > 3
A5Sum = 3
A6Sum > 3
A2All equal
A7All equal
A8Sum = 3
A9All equal
A10All equal
A7All equal
A9All equal
A10All equal
A11Sum = 12
A12Sum < 3
A9All equal
A13Sum = 12
A11Sum = 12
A14Sum > 3
A9All equal
A13Sum = 12
A15All equal
A15All equal
A15All equal
A15All equal
A16Sum > 3
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum > 4Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum > 3Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum = 3Area 9: All equalArea 10: All equalArea 11: Sum = 12Area 12: Sum < 3Area 13: Sum = 12Area 14: Sum > 3Area 15: All equalArea 16: Sum > 3

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 3-4; Piece 2: 1-1; Piece 3: 2-2; Piece 4: 4-5; Piece 5: 3-1; Piece 6: 6-4; Piece 7: 2-5; Piece 8: 6-0; Piece 9: 2-4; Piece 10: 5-6; Piece 11: 1-2; Piece 12: 0-5; Piece 13: 1-6; Piece 14: 4-4; Piece 15: 1-5.

Where to look

Area 3 has 1 cell: Sum > 4. Look at row 2, column 1.

A local clue for Area 11

The two cells in Area 11 must total 12. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 6 + 6.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 12 (0 | 5), vertical: row 3, column 1 has 0, paired with row 2, column 1 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

7 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11All equal
A11All equal
A11All equal
A11All equal
A25All equal
A35Sum > 4
A44Sum > 3
A53Sum = 3
A64Sum > 3
A25All equal
A70All equal
A83Sum = 3
A92All equal
A101All equal
A70All equal
A92All equal
A101All equal
A116Sum = 12
A122Sum < 3
A92All equal
A136Sum = 12
A116Sum = 12
A145Sum > 3
A92All equal
A136Sum = 12
A154All equal
A154All equal
A154All equal
A154All equal
A165Sum > 3
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum > 4Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum > 3Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum = 3Area 9: All equalArea 10: All equalArea 11: Sum = 12Area 12: Sum < 3Area 13: Sum = 12Area 14: Sum > 3Area 15: All equalArea 16: Sum > 3

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (3 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 3, paired with row 2, column 2 = 4.
  2. Piece 2 (1 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 1 = 1, paired with row 1, column 2 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (2 | 2): vertical; row 4, column 4 = 2, paired with row 5, column 4 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 4, paired with row 2, column 5 = 5.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 3, paired with row 1, column 3 = 1.
  6. Piece 6 (6 | 4): vertical; row 6, column 1 = 6, paired with row 7, column 1 = 4.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 5): vertical; row 5, column 2 = 2, paired with row 6, column 2 = 5.
  8. Piece 8 (6 | 0): vertical; row 5, column 1 = 6, paired with row 4, column 1 = 0.
  9. Piece 9 (2 | 4): vertical; row 6, column 4 = 2, paired with row 7, column 4 = 4.
  10. Piece 10 (5 | 6): vertical; row 7, column 5 = 5, paired with row 6, column 5 = 6.
  11. Piece 11 (1 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 5 = 1, paired with row 3, column 4 = 2.
  12. Piece 12 (0 | 5): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 0, paired with row 2, column 1 = 5.
  13. Piece 13 (1 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 5 = 1, paired with row 5, column 5 = 6.
  14. Piece 14 (4 | 4): horizontal; row 7, column 2 = 4, paired with row 7, column 3 = 4.
  15. Piece 15 (1 | 5): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 1, paired with row 1, column 5 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  9. Area 9: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  10. Area 10: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 12. 6 + 6 = 12; target 12.
  12. Area 12: Sum < 3. 2 = 2 < 3.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 12. 6 + 6 = 12; target 12.
  14. Area 14: Sum > 3. 5 = 5 > 3.
  15. Area 15: All equal. 4 = 4 = 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  16. Area 16: Sum > 3. 5 = 5 > 3.

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