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1:02 AM
-1
Q: Help me translate this encrypted message

FedericoThe message is: TFNBdUxpNHVJQzR1SUM0dUxpQXZJQzR1SUM0dUxpQXZJQzR0SUM4Z0xpMHRMU0F0TFMwZ0xpNHRJQzR0TGlBdExpQXVMU0F1TFM0dUlDNHRMaTB1TFNBdklDOGdMaT B0TFMwZ0xpMHVMUzR0SUM4Z0x5QXVMaUF2SUM0dUxpNGdMaTBnTFNBdUlDOGdMUzBnTFM0dExTQXZJQzB1TGlBdUxTQXRMaTRnTGkwdUxTNHRJQzhnTGk0Z0xpMHRMUzB1SUM0dUxpMGdMaUF2SUMwdUxp...

 
 
6 hours later…
6:32 AM
@Deusovi Just out of curiosity, as I can see you have a lot of experience with puzzles, what are your top 1 to 3 favorite puzzles you've ever seen? And what are your top 1 to 3 favorite/absolutely GENIUS answers you've seen? I appreciate your honesty and time ;)
 
6:48 AM
For my favorite puzzles, I'm not sure I can say these are *definitely* my top three, but here are some good memorable ones with a fair bit of variety:
The Realm of Unspeakable Chaos - a neat linguistics puzzle from an old Mystery Hunt. http://web.mit.edu/puzzle/www/2001/phase4/09/index.html (In the same vein, I was also a big fan of the entire structure of Galactic Puzzle Hunt 2019, but that might be stretching the definition of "one puzzle".)
Sundoko Snake Shape - a shading [grid-deduction] mashup. Very fun solve, with some neat moments along the way. https://www.gmpuzzles.com/blog/2019/02
2
(@CottonHeadedNinnymuggins)
I'm not sure what you mean by "favorite answers" separate from "favorite puzzles", though? In a puzzle with an intentionally designed solution, the best answers are the ones that clearly explain the solution path. Answers that try to "think outside of the box" and intentionally misinterpret rules in a silly way are not good answers.
 
7:20 AM
@Deusovi Thanks for the reply! What I meant by favorite answers were answers that had a "simple but genius" factor to it, or answers that you made you like the puzzle itself more. I will give you an example: puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/15529/…
Whoops, meant to add more to that message. I originally thought the tetris puzzle would be some lucky solution somebody happened to piece together with a computer program. But in reality, no computer or any physical pieces were needed since the solution was that simple. Favorite answers would be answers that made you feel you had to tell someone the puzzle only for the sake of telling them the insane solution.
 
7:58 AM
2
Q: What is the secret operator?

Dmitry KamenetskyThere is a secret operator F that takes two whole numbers and outputs a new number. For example F(6,9) = 15 F(66,11) = 110 F(86,18) = 179 Can you find what F does and what is the output of F(601,81) ?

0
Q: Perhaps the answer is hidden in the stars?

simonalexander2005When you get right down to it, you'll find the hidden robot pretty quickly. Don't forget to write two down, as well.

 
@Deusovi That link to Middle of the Road is 403 (for me). Any idea whether it was available recently (so I might expect it to be available again soon)? Or do you perhaps have a copy?
 
8:21 AM
the youtube channel "cracking the cryptic" did a video on that puzzle, if i remember correctly
 
0
Q: Is it a contradiction, if C is correct?

FIreCaseA) No B) Yes C) No C) Yes, only if this option is correct D) Exactly two of all options are correct E) Of course it is, why shouldn't it be? Any reason? F) Three above options are correct G) Four above options are correct H) No correct option is listed I) I'm sorry?

 
(the link works for me, btw)
 
9:11 AM
0
Q: A day at the circus (pay attention)

Prim3numbahWhen I went to a circus show I saw the following: Exactly x red balloons Exactly half as many green balloons than red balloons Exactly one fifth blue balloons than green balloons. These were the only balloons at the show (none others). And they were either small, medium or large. I noticed that...

 
9:34 AM
Thanks, @jafe. It did two, apparently: youtu.be/r5OoCFb72VY & youtu.be/bgY5vmfk05Y Now the question is whether I can see the whole puzzle there without seeing any of the solution or hints thereto.
 
1
Q: Square of Numbers #01 (4x4)

Player1456You are on a grid, that looks like this: 01-02-03-04 | | | | 05-06-07-08 | | | | 09-10-11-12 | | | | 13-14-15-16 You start on 01, and you must end up on 16. You may go in any of the 4 directions (up, down, left, right). Easy, right? WRONG. Here's the catch: If you go up, add where y...

 
10:24 AM
@msh210 or i can just send you the pdf to your email
 
 
2 hours later…
12:16 PM
CCCC Hint: Briefly mentioned earlier, the wordplay is non-standard, and the second letter is U.
 
@jafe I'd appreciate that. My mailbox is my username here, and the server is gmail.com
 
@jafe eyy I love that channel
 
@JeremyDover Is it EABr? That (ethylammonium bromide) is a powder and the wordplay is: "her bosom" = center of HER = E; "The top two" letters of the alphabet = AB; "right" =R
This one actually works, unlike my previous attempt, which relied on several too-far stretches.
 
12:36 PM
doesn't match the hint though
 
Oh, right. Oops.
 
1:03 PM
@msh210 sent
 
@msh210 A miss. But "her bosom = E" as a center indicator...nice! I WISH I had thought of that :-)
 
1:40 PM
0
Q: LGBT+ SpeedDating

Joris SchellekensCongratulations! You are now the lucky franchise owner of 'SpeedDating Inc'. We are the number one organiser of speed-dating events in WhereverYouAre. We would love for you to start organizing new events in your town, we think it certainly has potential. And with the advent of pride month, we are...

 
2:33 PM
@jafe received; many thanks
 
 
1 hour later…
3:54 PM
second letter U...
assuming powder is the definition.. dust? mull? no idea
 
4:06 PM
1
Q: Pattern Problem (3 x 3 grid)

chuckong083608My student showed me this problem. I can't seem to make heads or tails of it. I've tried trying to spot the pattern horizontally or vertically, but there's either too many things happening (different numbers of triangles and the position). Hopefully, you can give me some insight to the problem.

 
4:33 PM
This seems pretty broad/ill-defined. Any more close votes?
 
4:44 PM
@Randal'Thor I voted to keep it open but now I'm changing my mind...
 
Have a look at the answers so far.
Didn't we have a meta some years ago about burninating the tag because it's just encouraging poor joke questions?
 
maybe it is DUST, with the top of BUST moved two spots right in the alphabet
 
I need to know the intended answer to decide whether this is a good puzzle or not (that's a bit strange if you ask me)
@Randal'Thor As for the meta discussion on the [humor] tag I don't know: I'm recently new here
 
makes perfect sense to want to know the answer before deciding... i remember a semi-recent puzzle that had a score of 10+ before the answer was revealed, after which it got a barrage of downvotes
 
@jafe I've seen that go both ways: this question was well-received until the OP accepted this answer (you can't see the acceptance since it's deleted now), and on the other hand this puzzle was heavily downvoted until the great McMagister found the solution.
@melfnt found it:
12
A: Changing 'joke' to 'humour' or burninating it

GentlePurpleRainIn the interests of providing options: We should get rid of the joke tag entirely. Most of the questions with this tag are either already closed, or not very funny (obviously subjective). I don't think the tag really serves a useful purpose, and it should probably just get burninated.

 
5:02 PM
@Randal'Thor thank you. I think I will still wait for the intended answer before changing my vote
 
Sure. Wasn't intended to influence you or anyone else's votes on this question :-)
 
@jafe: You got it! "her bosom" = BUST. The top two right moves the top two to the right in the alphabet => DUST. I know it's a bit stretchy, but thought I'd see how it went.
 
I wonder how legal is 'her bosom=bust"? Because 'her' doesn't seem to serve a purpose here, and 'her bosom' makes it sound like we are dealing with a specific person's bosom
(never thought I'd type that sentence)
 
I have to admit, this is actually a very old clue for me, about 15 years old. I'll take any and all criticism.
 
"her" is definitely unnecessary at least.
 
5:17 PM
Agree it's unnecessary...but it could be neutral. When I dusted it off, I was able to convince myself it was relevant to the definition, since (at the risk of getting into trouble), historically only a bosom of the female sex is called a bust. But a lot of these rules have been changing, so maybe I should just delete my account.
 
"dusted it off" - pun intended?
 
@Randal'Thor I know, don't worry. It's just a little bit strange having to wait the answer to decide whether the question is acceptable
 
Not intended, but ISWYDT!
 
No reason to delete your account!
 
googles ISWYDT
 
5:20 PM
@Randal'Thor Just out of curiosity, if you're willing to answer, what are some of your all time favorite puzzles? I appreciate your time ;)
 
@bobble I see what you did there
 
@JohnDvorak: just joking :-) But I do worry that I will someday cross a line that has become a line since I learned the lines (I am 50).
 
CCCC: Confusion as man with ultimately senior position received nudes I shot (16)
 
5:39 PM
@jafe I think it is MISUNDERSTANDING. Man (M) with ultimately senior (R) position (STANDING) takes nudes I shot (NUDESI* -> ISUNDE) = M + ISUNDE + R +STANDING, which is one type of confusion.
 
I was dreading that question ;-) there are so many great puzzles out there, and I know I'll forget some if I even try to compose a greatest-hits list. In no particular order:
1. For incredible visual presentation of complex multi-layer puzzles, there's some great gems from BmyGuest, such as [balancing](https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/q/6453/5373) and [lepidopterology](https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/q/16881/5373). Also gotta mention Avigrail's 3D modelling of [his office](https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/q/43714/5373) and [Stonehenge](https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/q/55204/5373).
 
2
Q: Cryptic Family Reunion: I don't want to work

Jeremy DoverThe answer to this puzzle is a list of ten thematically related words or proper names or phrases. Each of these is clued cryptically, and the theme is to be determined. Since the definition part of a cryptic clue would give away the theme, these cryptic clues use a family member (e.g., mom, siste...

 
@JeremyDover yep, that's it!
 
6:16 PM
Thanks @jafe...know I'm up, trying to put a decent clue together. One word away! But that word might not exist :-(
CCCC: Ahead of gold bug, month to get capital (6)
 
"Paranoia: we put the "sunder" in "misunderstanding"."
 
7:02 PM
@JeremyDover I feel like this must be BEFORE (Ahead of) = BEF* (bug (anagramize) month (Feb.)) to get (before) OR (gold). But I don't see how capital = E.
(And I'm not a fan of "to get" = beforehand, if my breakdown is correct.)
Oh, wait, that'd be an indirect anagram. Hm.
 
@msh210 Looks like you've successfully talked yourself out of this, but that was not the intent
 
7:21 PM
0
Q: Where is the gold

TruVortex_07I made a puzzle, but it's probably bad¯_(ツ)_/¯. Here goes. (CRINGY POEM WARNING) The fallen leader spread a plague that turned people into the undead. He got tricked by Xavier Fisher, who took all his gold. Right as he gave his last breath, he said, search, seek and destroy. Everynight and every...

 
Avi
hmmm
I'm trying to find a word for "able to be speciated"
I was thinking "speciable" but it doesn't appear to appear in English usage per a quick google search
any ideas?
 
7:46 PM
0
Q: Guess what I'm listening to

George MenoutisI invite you to find the song I listened to my nerd eye, the title glistened. The author if to find you crave, surely they are not a slave; footwear for a trip to cave, many things in that you save. Trying to find the song's upsetting, 'cause it's just a bunch of settings: Remember the hi...

 
8:43 PM
@Avi I think the word would be "speciatable", but I doubt you'll find it in any dictionary. And it feels like a weird thing to want to be able to say. Speciation isn't generally a thing that is done to a population. I'd say "they underwent speciation" or maybe even "they speciated" but not, I think, "they were speciated".
 
8:59 PM
0
Q: Calculation puzzle 007

garakchyWhat is x? 76 26 24 24 30 x There is a connection between these numbers. Based on that connection, find x. Possible answer is Source: This question was asked in YTUYOS 2017 (Yildiz Technical University exam for International students in 2017) in booklet A, question no: 53.

 
Avi
Yeah, I considered speciatable as well
eventually I went with "DifferentiableIndividual" to describe the objects I was talking about
because that most precisely defined the property (which was required for speciation as per the algorithm)
but speciatable is probably the exact word that describes the concept of being "able to be speciated"
 
9:23 PM
0
Q: Extended face-planes of an Octahedron

ThomasLWhen extending the face-planes of an Octahedron, how many cells (bounded and unbounded) are formed in space?

 
I don't have much of an idea what that ^ is referring to but I feel it might be more of a maths problem?
 
9:47 PM
0
Q: Calculation puzzle 008

garakchyWhat is x? ----- | 22 | ---------- | 34 | 23 | ---------- | 57 | ----- ----- | 43 | ---------- | 78 | 29 | ---------- | 16 | ----- ----- | 52 | ---------- | 94 | 28 | ---------- | 35 | ----- ----- | 62 | ---------- | 71 | x | ---------- | 23 | ----- There is a connection between the numbers....

 
@BeastlyGerbil No.
That's an amazingly tricky problem. I've spent more than 15 minutes trying to visualise it and still can't get the solution for sure.
 
For me it's on the borderline. I'm not going to vote-to-close, especially as my Super Moderator Superpowers would then close it regardless of anyone else's opinions, but it's not obviously not a maths problem as opposed to a mathematical puzzle. (I agree it's tricky.)
 
@Randal'Thor I assume in that case it'll be one of those 'problems' which looks textbook until you start trying to solve it
 
(I haven't spent 15 minutes trying to visualize it, though.)
 
@GarethMcCaughan I suspect there may be a neat trick which makes it easy. (Maybe something about it being the dual of a cube? Or something about stellation?) But currently I'm just staring at a line drawing of an octahedron and trying to figure it out.
 
9:51 PM
Also on another note it seems quite brief, I'd have liked a bit of an explanation, maybe an image or something along those lines but thats besides the point
 
My feeling is that there's a little less to it than meets the eye.
 
Assuming there is that trick then I'd def class it as a puzzle
 
There is an Euler formula for 3D space, but it's not immediately obvious how to make use of it
now I'm wondering if the projective 3-space might be of use
I believe topologically its double cover is the regular 3-sphere?
 
10:12 PM
-1
Q: Calculation puzzle 009

garakchyWell, we are continuing with what is x series. -------------- | 3 11 9 | -------------- | v -------------- | 8 17 5 | -------------- | v -------------- | 9 17 2 | -------------- | v -------------- | 6 22 x | -------------- As the arrows indi...

 
I posted an answer. As I say, it feels to me like there's less to it than meets the eye; the way to do it is to just do it. The only tricksy thing is the idea of rot13(pbafvqrevat n cynar fjrrcvat npebff gur bpgnurqeba nf n jnl gb xrrc genpx bs guvatf). Of course I might have made mistakes...
For what it's worth I'm fairly sure my 3D visualization is unusually weak for an otherwise decent mathematician. But (again, unless I've screwed up, which is very possible) the approach I take basically replaces 3D visualization with mere clear thinking, and that I can do. (But, again, only fallibly.)
It occurs to me that it's pretty easy to check the result with a computer. Hang on while I do that.
 
@GarethMcCaughan There's another answer now with a different number.
(I haven't read either in detail to check/understand them.)
 
Ha! Without having looked at the other one, I'd say there's a better than 50% chance they're right and I'm wrong.
 
I like the other answer's approach
 
10:27 PM
After computer-checking, I think my answer is correct. (At least, it gets the right number.)
 
Funny how the close-votes quickly started disappearing after people saw how tricky the answers are :-)
 
Yeah it's almost a trick question :P
 
I dunno; I don't think my answer is tricky at all.
I mean, don't get me wrong, it requires skill. But it doesn't feel like there's a leap of insight involved, other than a good feel for what sort of technique might make the problem straightforward. I'm still right on the edge as to whether it's really a puzzle :-).
 
0
Q: A significant milestone

Rand al'ThorMy left half is often used in dividing money, It's not round but square: hold Attila in fear! My right half is often used in metric spaces, Islands in borderlands, lakes in a state. Together with and we're sweet, Together without we're this post.

0
Q: Mathematical Proof of a Rubik’s Cube

user70455Has it been proven (or disproven) that, from a solved state, there exists a number “x” for any algorithm, such that you can perform said algorithm x times to get back to a solved state. I feel like this is something any cuber will tell you is true, but I am a mathematician first and a cuber secon...

 
I don't yet have the mathematical knowledge to really comprehend or comment on the question or answers, but I'm getting there if what slowly. Taking further pure next year at school so maybe I'll finally understood some of the things on this site :P
 
10:37 PM
Although I'm pretty sure my answer gets the count right and Florian's gets it wrong, I won't be at all surprised if there's a simple fix that makes Florian's right. But his requires something more like 3D visualization than mine does...
 
 
1 hour later…
11:38 PM
@JohnDvorak Yes, projective n-space is the n-sphere quotiented by identifying antipodal points. (Or (n+1)-space minus the origin, quotiented by identifying all points on a line through the origin.)
 

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