(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
Today’s GAS is again a slightly different take on the more familiar Kropki Pairs, this time with differences and ratios of 3.

PDF

or solve online (using SudokuPad)

Theme: Three’s Allowed

Author/Opus: This is the 91st puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules (insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region). If a white circle is given between two adjacent cells, then the two numbers must have a difference equal to the given number. If a black circle is given between two adjacent cells, then the two numbers must have a ratio equal to the given number. Pairs of cells without circles can have any relationship.

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:33; One party hat (🥳): 15:33. All other solvers earn a 🦕: Helicopter Hal’titan.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 4:44 (on slightly harder version), with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF; solving video with explanation to be added later from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other less common variations of Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.