Who are we and what do we want?

This activity is for us to get to know each other and set the stage for the course.

1.

1.1

Welcome from Dr. Yossi Elran video (01:37)

2.

1.2

Why are you taking this course? discussion

3.

1.3

The encoding of Math problems vs. Secret Codes vs. Symbology article

4.

1.4

The challenge from outer space video (00:33)

First taste of cryptarithms - Hindu Cryptarithms

In this activity we will tackle our first cryptarithms - Hindu cryptarithms

1.

1.5

A few preliminaries article

2.

1.6
 What are cryptarithms? article

3.

1.7

Ancient Hindu Problems article

4.

1.8

Some simple Hindu Cryptarithms video (01:16)

5.

1.9

Hindu Cryptarithms quiz

6.

1.10

Questions, anyone? discussion

Alphametics

Alphametics are cryptarithms that spell out words

1.

1.11

What are alphametics? article

2.

1.12

How to solve alphametic puzzles video (01:54)

 3.

1.13

Alphametic Quiz quiz

4.

1.14

Let's talk about the alphametics quiz discussion

Special and Unique Cryptarithms

Explore some more complicated cryptarithms

1.

1.15

Tests of divisibility and more hints article

2.

1.16

Different genres of cryptarithms article

3.

1.17

Advanced cryptarithm quiz quiz

4.

1.18

Solve the alphametic part of the course challenge video (00:36)

5.
 1.19

Challenge solution video (05:18)

6.

1.20

Questions, anyone? discussion

Week wrapup

First week summary and test

1.

1.21

Week summary, further reading and discussion discussion

What are alphametics?

Alphametics are cryptarithms that spell out words. Given a mathematical expression, every digit
in the expression is replaced by a letter. One of the most famous alphametics, spelling out
SEND MORE MONEY appears above. This alphametic was first published by Henry Dudeney,
a British puzzlist, in 1924.

Five rules govern alphametics:

1. Identical digits are replaced by the same letter. Different digits are replaced by different letters.
2. After replacing all the letters with digits, the resulting arithmetic expression must be
mathematically correct.

3. Numbers cannot start with 0. For example, the number 0900 is illegal.

4. Each problem must have exactly one solution, unless stated otherwise (unlike the Hindu
problems where there might be no solution or multiple solutions).

5. The problems will be in base 10 unless otherwise specified. This means that the letters replace
some or all of the 10 digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Let's talk about the alphametics quiz
The quiz was pretty tricky. Im sure youve run into some difficulties or challenges. Thats why
weve added this discussion step! Feel free to post any questions or comments about the
questions or topics covered!

Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of
Science

Tests of divisibility and more hints

Some multiplication rules can really help us when we get stuck on a cryptarithm. Here are some
rules you should know before taking the plunge into the more difficult problems

A number is divisible by 2 if its units digit is an even number.

A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

A number is divisible by 5 if the number ends with a 0 or a 5.

A number is divisible by 6 if its an even number and the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

A number is divisible by 11 when the difference between the sum of the digits in the even
positions (looking at the number from left to right) and the sum of the digits in the odd positions
is divisible by 11.

Examples

The number 43242543 is divisible by 9 and by 3 because the digit-sum of the number:
4+3+2+4+2+5+4+3=27 is divisible both by 3 and by 9.

Is the number 1352467928 divisible by 11?

The sum of the digits in the even spots: 3+2+6+9+8=28

The sum of the digits in the odd spots: 1+5+4+7+2=19

Since 28-19=9 and 9 is not divisible by 11 the whole number is not divisible by 11.

We can fix the number to be divisible by 11 if we can fix the difference to be, i.e. 11. This can
be done by adding 2 to one of the digits in the even spots. Lets change the number 3 to 5. We
get: 1552467928. This number is divisible by 11:

The sum of the digits in the even spots: 5+2+6+9+8=30

The sum of the digits in the odd spots: 1+5+4+7+2=19

Since 30-19=11 and 11 is divisible by 11 the whole number, 1552467928, is divisible by 11.

Here are some useful multiplication rules that can help solve cryptarithms:

When you multiply a number by: The units digit in the product will be:

0 0

1 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

2 0,2,4,6,8

3 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

4 0,2,4,6,8

5 0,5

6 0,2,4,6,8

7 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

8 0,2,4,6,8

9 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Davidson Institute of Science Education, the Weizmann Institute of Science

Different genres of cryptarithms

Up till now, weve taken a look at the basic cryptarithms. However, there is much more to
cryptarithms than meets the eye! For instance, there exist different genres of cryptarithms.

Double true
Double true cryptarithms are alphametics where the letters spell the words describing numbers,
so that the actual wording is also true. In the example above, the cryptarithm is true, twice.

First, reading off the words, one plus two plus two plus three plus three is indeed equal to
eleven.

Second, we can solve the cryptarithm, making the following substitutions:

E = 1, H = 4, L = 7, N = 9, O = 3, R = 6, T = 8, V = 2, W = 0
The cryptarithm is solved: 391 + 803 + 803 + 84611 + 84611 = 171219

Double true cryptarithms are solved the same way as regular alphametics.

Roots, powers and division cryptarithms

Cryptarithms are not restricted to addition. We already saw some multiplication problems.
Cryptarithms with other operations can also be fun. Here is a simple power cryptarithm:
(AA)B=ABA

Lets take a look at how to solve this one. First, we are looking for a 2-digit number (identical digits),
which, when raised to a certain power, gives a 3-digit number. The smallest 2-digit number that is
possible is 11. The power cannot be larger than 2 because then we get a 4-digit result. It cannot be
smaller than 2 because then we get either 1 (when B=0) or a 2-digit number (AA when B=1). Thats all we
need! The solution is 112

where A=1 and B=2.

That was pretty straightforward, but if you get stuck, try looking for additional information. One
thing we can do is to look at the units digit of the answer. In the case above, notice that when the
number is raised to a certain power, the units digit in the result stays the same as the original
units digit.

Square root cryptarithms can also be challenging. Remember that these can be reversed and
turned into a multiplication problem. ABC=BC

is the same as BCxBC=ABC

Special words
Another fun genre is when the cryptarithms spell special words. Here is an example that Truman
Collins has on his website:

SATURN + URANUS = PLANETS.

There are three possible solutions for this cryptarithm.

Truman has a lot of similar examples, and you can even generate your own related words
cryptarithms with his online cryptarithm generator. Other literary cryptarithms can be found on
Mike Keiths excellent website excellent website, but first I suggest you mark this step as
complete, click next and take this more advanced cryptarithm quiz.

Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of
Science
Solve the alphametic part of the course challenge
OK! Lets get down to the course challenge. Try and solve the following cryptarithm: I x
KINGJO = JOKING The hint is: I=4

In the video we mixed Capital and regular letters, just to make it more readable, however,
Capital and regular letters encode the same number, i.e. I=i=4.

This isnt an easy one, so spend some time on it. You can ask for hints in the discussion, but
dont give away the answer. That youll be able to see on the next step. Good Luck!

Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of
Science

Week summary, further reading and discussion

Congratulations! We have completed the first week of the course. Of course, in such a concise
context we were only able to give a taste of cryptarithms, but I hope I was able to wet your
appetite and you were able to get a good flavour of what cryptarithms are all about. Dont worry
if the quizzes and test took a long time. Dont worry if the quizzes and test took a long time. One
can spend hours sometimes on just one alphametic! If you got hooked like I did, you are
probably wondering where you can get more information and further reading. The first place I
would go is Jorge Soaress excellent website. The website is a real treasure and has a great
tutorial and some tips on solving cryptarithms. The site is a homage to the Sphinx journal. Other
websites have already been mentioned this week. Mike Keith and Truman Collins.

Next week well be taking a look at symbologies - different ways to describe information. In
particular, we will be looking at numerical symbologies - the different ways numbers have been
represented from Ancient times until today. So, join me and learn about deciphering Egyptian
hieroglyphs, Roman and Greek numerals and youll even learn how to literally read product
barcodes, learning more interesting math along the way.

Discussion
As the week comes to a close, We would really like to know how it went for you and how do you
feel? Please share with us your thoughts. What have you learnt? How are you doing? Are you
struggling with any aspects of this weeks content? Equally, has it provoked you to ask deeper
questions about cryptarithms and maths puzzles? Please ask any questions you have in this step.
If you know the answer, or feel you could offer some insight about a question, please reply to
your fellow learners. We will also be answering questions when we can, so remember to follow
us to keep up to date with our responses.

It would be great if we can use the discussion panel below to reflect on this. This is also the place
for you to challenge us and each other with your own cryptarithms
 Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of
Science