So this is my first try at a puzzle. . I hope I didn't make this puzzle either too hard or too easy. There is a prize. A game type prize. No tricks.

Get cracking

So it seems I messed up the hint delay... everyone gets free hints after the first hour :P I change it so no hints in puzzle. I will give the hints here after 24 hours.

Hints:
Q2: If you are stuck, make sure you cover all your bases in order to leave no stone unturned.
Q3: The answer is ‘simple’ if you know how to play nice.

new hints:
Q2: Hint 2: Given the previous two equations, what should be the expected value for the right side of the third equation
Q3: Hint 2: Sir Charles Wheatstone

ANSWERS

1: Spaniard

2: 102

the first equation is in base 8: 6 (base 8) + 6 (base 8) = 14 (base 8)
the second equation is in base 7: 14 (base 7) + 14 (base 7) = 31 (base 7)
the third equation is in base 6: 31 (base 6) + 31 (base 6) = 102 (base 6)

3: not all men are created equal

the text is encoded using a Playfair square cipher with a keyword of 'SIMPLE'

10 years ago*

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Why is there a poll?

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What's a pole?

Very nice puzzle. A bit easy one, but still nice.

10 years ago
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Q2 Makes my brain hurt. Maybe i'm drunk? Send help.

10 years ago
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Bump for solved

10 years ago
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Now that the giveaway is over, would you please post the puzzle answers?

10 years ago
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Certainly!

Q1: Spaniard

Q2: 102

the first equation is in base 8: 6 (base 8) + 6 (base 8) = 14 (base 8)
the second equation is in base 7: 14 (base 7) + 14 (base 7) = 31 (base 7)
the third equation is in base 6: 31 (base 6) + 31 (base 6) = 102 (base 6)

Q3: not all men are created equal

the text is encoded using a Playfair (play nice) square cipher with a keyword of 'SIMPLE'

10 years ago
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Thanks for sharing the answers! I had solved Q1 and Q3 but was stuck on Q2. FYI, here is what I was thinking:

8 (base 10) + 8 (base 10) = 16 (base 10; or 14 in base 8)
14 (base 10) + 14 (base 10) = 28 (base 10; or 31 in base 9)
31 (base 10) + 31 (base 10) = 62 (base 10; or 57 in base 11, 52 in base 12, etc.)

So, due to an unfortunate coincidence with the second equation (base 7 vs. base 9), I had the base values going up, not down. :)

10 years ago
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Closed 9 years ago by MrWubblestein.