231 replies to this topic

[TheChad]

First it jumps up 5 steps.
Then it jumps down 2 steps.
Then it jumps up 5 steps.
Then it jumps down 2 steps.
And so it repeats, until it reaches the top. If -"

"25 jumps!" said Mark. "I know this one! It's with a well!"

"... no, not that one. Suppose you see the frog on top of the 38th step, and you know it started on top of one of the first ten steps. Which of those steps could it have started from?"
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This is fairly easy to solve in reverse.

38 is the starting number

Spoiler for

Now we will run two paths from here.
The first is where it jumped up 5 steps to get here, the second is where it jumped down 2.
38 - 5 = 33 + 2 = 35 - 5 = 30 + 2 = 32 -5 = 27 + 3 = 30 etc.
38 + 2 = 40 - 5 = 35 + 2 = 37 - 5 = 32 + 2 = 34 - 5 = 29 etc

In the first case we are given the possibility of 0,2,3,5,6,8, or 9
The other scenario gives us a 2,5, 7,10

Unless I made a mistake with my formula, which is possible because it does allow some negative combinations (i.e. the frog is on step -1)

EDIT: Oops, I didn't realize you said it jumps 5 the first time, so that changes it.
First scenario is 0,3,6,9
Second is 2,5,8

So it is possible he started on 0,2,3,5,6, or 9th step

Edited by TheChad, 02 January 2012 - 07:12 AM.

[Morningstar]

That one was pretty easy. Nice work, TheChad!

[TheChad]

We still need to find the key.
There is also an alternate way to open the safe that needs to be solved.

[plainglazed]

Spoiler for perhaps...

...since Kenichi said, "the frog started on those steps," he might have been referring to the 39 steps in the foyer so the frog could not have initially come down two steps from 40 but instead must have jumped up from the 33rd step to the 38th. this would limit the possibilities to steps 3,6,9? also, think maybe L. V.'s mother's previous name was (Ann) Wesser? but dont think that helps much.

[Molly Mae]

Spoiler for Stuff

NSWE is another path for the compass code--and the best path. From A (NSWE) R. ANSWER. . =P

Additionally, I'd check the records. Which one? Whichever one sold well... The gold one... =P

Agreed on Ann's other name. You guys rock.

@WoD: This is epic. Thanks.

Lastly... The Witch of Doubt = TWoD. Backward is DoWT...which is like Doubt.

Edited by Molly Mae, 03 January 2012 - 06:53 PM.

[TheChad]

Ok, so the key was found in a small object, which we must guess.

Also, I made a mistake with the records thing and showed my age.

A 45 record is a single record, not the number of records.
It runs at 45 rpm and is 7 inches diameter (18 cm).

I don't really think this changes anything.

[TheChad]

Any code breakers here?

Spoiler for

Lead to Gold = (Pb 82 to Au 79) = -3
Tin to Silver = (Sn 50 to Ag 47) = -3
Iron to Copper = (Fe 26 to Cu 29) = +3
Silicon to Gallium = (Si 14 to Ga 31) = +17

Gold, Gallium, Gallium, Silver, Copper, Gold, Gallium, Gold, Gallium.

79, 31, 31, 47, 29, 79, 31, 79, 31
Those are the atomic numbers of the 'new' objects.

Perhaps it is a code to be broken that says where the objects are.
Unfortunately I'm not a code breaker.

[Molly Mae]

Any code breakers here?

Spoiler for

Lead to Gold = (Pb 82 to Au 79) = -3
Tin to Silver = (Sn 50 to Ag 47) = -3
Iron to Copper = (Fe 26 to Cu 29) = +3
Silicon to Gallium = (Si 14 to Ga 31) = +17

Gold, Gallium, Gallium, Silver, Copper, Gold, Gallium, Gold, Gallium.

79, 31, 31, 47, 29, 79, 31, 79, 31
Those are the atomic numbers of the 'new' objects.

Perhaps it is a code to be broken that says where the objects are.
Unfortunately I'm not a code breaker.

I don't know that it will require brute force, but WoD has taught me that there are many paths that lead to the right answer.

Regardless, I think there will be a logical method for the solution to the alchemical puzzle. I'm still looking for it.

[Morningstar]

I agree with Molly Mae. We should look for other ways to the answer, although the atomic number thing is plausible.

[Molly Mae]

I agree with Molly Mae. We should look for other ways to the answer, although the atomic number thing is plausible.

If brute force finds an answer, it's just as good for me. =P

Remember:
"Hmm." Kenichi Nakamura frowned. He was a middle-aged programmer. Though one of the club's best codebreakers, the code-on-a-string had briefly confused him, as no numbers were involved in its solution.

And also:
"You could find those on the Internet!" Mr. Nakamura was not happy with this development, and he could see that Ocean Zweidler seemed equally fed-up. "The real answer to the string took research, too, even if it was easier for you! But if all of these riddles are about your mother, we suffer a disadvantage."

EDIT: Bold emphasis is mine.

Edited by Molly Mae, 03 January 2012 - 10:59 PM.