Minesweeper math problems

[Airhog]

I really enjoy playing a game of minesweeper. I have been able to beat it on the first two levels. however advanced eludes me. It got me thinking though, about this math problem

What is the minimum ratio of mines to squares needed to make the game challenging? What is the maxmium ratio of mines to squares before the game become impossible to beat?

Easy 81 squares 10 mines 12% of squares have mines
Medium

Meduim 256 squares 40 mines 15% of squares have mines

Hard 480 squares 99 mines 20% of squares have mines.

[JeeberD]

I love minesweeper. I hate math...

[Airhog]

JeeberD: are you any good at it then? :D

I find that good logic is a must. A little bit of math doesnt hurt either.

[JeeberD]

I'm pretty good at it. Beaten expert level a number of times.

Simple math like is required in minesweeper is no problem. And you're probably right, it's just as much logic as it is math...

[JeeberD]

Dola-

Here are my minesweeper records...

Beginner - 13 seconds
Intermediate - 71 seconds
Expert - 301 seconds

[Airhog]

well you got my ass kicked

[SackAttack]

Beginner - 8 seconds
Intermediate - 38 seconds
Expert - 117 seconds

And sadly, none of the three are close to my Dad's personal records.

[JeeberD]

Damn! :eek:

[Vince]

Man, a buddy of mine was psychotic good at minesweeper in high school. I competed with him in everything, and so I had to try to get good. I was pretty good, but never at his level. I had two insane times, and then Expert I was always a little off.

Beginner - 6 seconds (absolute luck here, beat him by a second)
Intermediate - 36 seconds (still behind by 2 seconds)
Expert - 136 (way behind his 115)

Great game, though :)