2026-07-13
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2026-06-29
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Full breakdown using the Strategy coach format — patch placements, tiling analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
LinkedIn Patches #118 is the LinkedIn Patches daily for July 13, 2026. Patches is LinkedIn's tiling puzzle: partition a 7×7 grid into non-overlapping rectangles — one per clue — matching area and shape hints until every cell is covered. This page includes the live board, a solved-board view, and a step-by-step Solution walkthrough. Difficulty: Easy. Estimated solve time: 3–5 min.
Answer
This board has 14 clues on a 7×7 grid — each maps to one non-overlapping patch.
14 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 2×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×1, clue 4 → 2×1, clue 5 → 2×2, clue 6 → 1×2, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 3×1, clue 10 → 2×1, clue 11 → 5×1, clue 12 → 4×2, clue 13 → 1×2, clue 14 → 2×4. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Analysis
Teaching LinkedIn Patches #118: students draw one rectangle at a time on this 7×7 board. 14 clues, 10 with fixed areas. Walk through 14 placements before declaring the grid solved — verify no overlap and no gaps after every patch.
Board spotlight: Many clues show a numbered area — when area and shape combine, the rectangle size is often mathematically fixed before placement. With 10 of 14 clues showing a numbered area, dimension math often pins down rectangle size before you choose a position on the grid.
General Patches strategy on 7×7: rectangles cannot overlap, every cell must belong to exactly one patch, and each patch must contain precisely one clue at its anchor cell. When a clue shows area 12 and a tall icon, only a few height×width pairs are legal — list them before drawing. After each placement, mentally partition the leftover white space: if any region cannot host its remaining clues, back up and try the next candidate.
Lesson step 1: show why 2×2 at Row 1, column 1 is forced around Row 2, column 2. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square. Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 2: show why 2×1 at Row 1, column 3 is forced around Row 2, column 3. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 3: show why 3×1 at Row 1, column 4 is forced around Row 2, column 4. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 4: show why 2×1 at Row 1, column 5 is forced around Row 2, column 5. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 5: show why 2×2 at Row 1, column 6 is forced around Row 2, column 6. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square. Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 6: show why 1×2 at Row 3, column 1 is forced around Row 3, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 7: show why 1×2 at Row 3, column 6 is forced around Row 3, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 8: show why 1×2 at Row 4, column 1 is forced around Row 4, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 9: show why 3×1 at Row 3, column 3 is forced around Row 4, column 3. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 10: show why 2×1 at Row 4, column 4 is forced around Row 4, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 11: show why 5×1 at Row 3, column 5 is forced around Row 4, column 5. The clue shows area 5, so this patch must cover exactly 5 cells (5×1 = 5). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 12: show why 4×2 at Row 4, column 6 is forced around Row 4, column 6. This patch covers 8 cells (4×2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 13: show why 1×2 at Row 5, column 1 is forced around Row 5, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Lesson step 14: show why 2×4 at Row 6, column 1 is forced around Row 6, column 2. This patch covers 8 cells (2×4). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). Ask: what cells are now unavailable for other clues?
Recap: 14 patches, 49 cells, one partition path. Replay using constrained-clue-first ordering.
Patches
Shape & area
This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 45 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Opening tile: After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 45 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 43 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Shape lock: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 43 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 40 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Area pin: After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 40 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 38 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Partition test: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 38 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Mid-board: After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Corridor fill: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 30 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Late anchor: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 30 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Verifier: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 25 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Gap close: After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 25 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 23 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Final tile: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 23 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 5, so this patch must cover exactly 5 cells (5×1 = 5).
After placing this 5-cell rectangle, 18 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Patch 11: After placing this 5-cell rectangle, 18 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
This patch covers 8 cells (4×2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 8-cell rectangle, 10 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Patch 12: After placing this 8-cell rectangle, 10 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 8 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Patch 13: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 8 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Shape & area
This patch covers 8 cells (2×4). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall).
This 8-cell patch completes the grid — all 49 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Solving note
Patch 14: This 8-cell patch completes the grid — all 49 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue. Does any remaining region look untileable?
Verification
Teach verification by checking units: after all 14 patches, count cells (49 total), confirm one clue per rectangle, and scan for overlaps. 14 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 2×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×1, clue 4 → 2×1, clue 5 → 2×2, clue 6 → 1×2, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 3×1, clue 10 → 2×1, clue 11 → 5×1, clue 12 → 4×2, clue 13 → 1×2, clue 14 → 2×4. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Solve path
Phase 1: Partition the 7×7 grid into 14 non-overlapping rectangles — one per clue, matching area and shape hints. Patch 1: draw 2×2 at Row 1, column 1 for the clue at Row 2, column 2. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). Patch 2: draw 2×1 at Row 1, column 3 for the clue at Row 2, column 3. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 3: draw 3×1 at Row 1, column 4 for the clue at Row 2, column 4. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Patch 4: draw 2×1 at Row 1, column 5 for the clue at Row 2, column 5. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 5: draw 2×2 at Row 1, column 6 for the clue at Row 2, column 6. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). Patch 6: draw 1×2 at Row 3, column 1 for the clue at Row 3, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 7: draw 1×2 at Row 3, column 6 for the clue at Row 3, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 8: draw 1×2 at Row 4, column 1 for the clue at Row 4, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 9: draw 3×1 at Row 3, column 3 for the clue at Row 4, column 3. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Patch 10: draw 2×1 at Row 4, column 4 for the clue at Row 4, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 11: draw 5×1 at Row 3, column 5 for the clue at Row 4, column 5. The clue shows area 5, so this patch must cover exactly 5 cells (5×1 = 5). Patch 12: draw 4×2 at Row 4, column 6 for the clue at Row 4, column 6. This patch covers 8 cells (4×2). Patch 13: draw 1×2 at Row 5, column 1 for the clue at Row 5, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 14: draw 2×4 at Row 6, column 1 for the clue at Row 6, column 2. This patch covers 8 cells (2×4). Complete: 49 cells covered, 14 valid patches — full tiling verified.
Pattern
Many clues show a numbered area — when area and shape combine, the rectangle size is often mathematically fixed before placement.
Learn more in Patches Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
This board uses 2 square, 1 tall, 1 wide, 10 flexible. Shape icons restrict width and height before you drag — list legal dimensions for each clue before drawing.
10 clues show a number. Multiply height×width before placing — mismatched area is the fastest way to break a Patches solve.
Before celebrating, count: 14 patches, 49 cells, zero overlap. 14 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 2×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×1, clue 4 → 2×1, clue 5 → 2×2, clue 6 → 1×2, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 3×1, clue 10 → 2×1, clue 11 → 5×1, clue 12 → 4×2, clue 13 → 1×2, clue 14 → 2×4. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Solution
This 7×7 board has 14 clues, 10 of which specify a required area. Shape hints include square, any, tall, wide proportions. 14 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 2×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×1, clue 4 → 2×1, clue 5 → 2×2, clue 6 → 1×2, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 3×1, clue 10 → 2×1, clue 11 → 5×1, clue 12 → 4×2, clue 13 → 1×2, clue 14 → 2×4. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once. Many clues show a numbered area — when area and shape combine, the rectangle size is often mathematically fixed before placement. Use the Solution tab for a patch-by-patch reveal with live board updates, or the Solved board tab for the complete tiling.