You are on page 1of 10

Solve: D O N A L D + G E R A L D = R O B E R T, D = 5, each letter represents a unique digit

from 0 to 9.

_
_DONALD
+GERALD
_ == == == == == ==
_ROBERT

1. Since D = 5, and D + D = T, then 5 + 5 = 10, so T is 0, and we carry a 1:


______1
_5ONAL5
+GERAL5
_ == == == == == ==
_ROBER0

2. Since O + E = O, and E cannot be zero (0 is already taken), this addition can only be possible
if E = 9. Then, O + 9 = O is only possible if we have a carry-over of 1 from the addition to its
right, (N + R = B).
We observe that O + 9 = O, which means that the result is > 10, and we must have a carry-over
of 1. We have:
__1___1
_5ONAL5
+G9RAL5
_ == == == == == ==
_ROB9R0

3. Since A + A = 9, we must have a carry-over from the previous column (from column L + L =
R), and A must equal to 4 (i.e. 4 + 4 + 1 = 9). Thus, A=4.
__1__11
_5ON4L5
+G9R4L5
_ == == == == == ==
_ROB9R0

4. Since we carried over a 1 to accomplish O + 9 = O, then N + R = B implies that B > 10 (we’re


carrying the 1 over, and 0 is already taken by T, and that is why B cannot equal 10, so B > 10)

Digits used up: { 0, 4, 5, 9 } Free: { 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 }


Since N + R > 10, then from the Free set we can only try to use combinations {3, 8}, {6, 7}, {6,
8}, or {7, 8}.
We also observe that L + L + 1 = R, which implies that R must be odd. Then, from our 4 sets of
possible assignments above, we can only use 3 and 7 as possible assignments to R, since they
are the only odd digits occurring in the sets. Thus, R must be either 3 or 7.

We now try to figure out if R is 3 or 7.


In the first column we see that 5 + G + 1 = R (and since we do not have any more digits left of
R, i.e. we don’t carry over anything), R cannot be 3 (since 5 + G + 1 = 3 implies that G is
negative).

Thus, R must take value 7. We have:

__11_11
_5ON4L5
+G974L5
_ == == == == == ==
_7OB970

5. Since 5 + G + 1 = 7, then G = 1. We have:


__11_11
_5ON4L5
+1974L5
_ == == == == == ==
_7OB970

6. Since L + L + 1 = 7, then we must have L = 3 or L = 8.


We notice from 4 + 4 = 9 that we must be carrying a 1 over from L + L.
Since we carry a 1 from L + L, then we cannot have L = 3, and therefore L = 8:
__11_11
_5ON485
+197485
_ == == == == == ==
_7OB970

7. Digits used up: {1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 0} Free: {2, 3, 6}


We try to see which free digits match next.
We have N + 7 = B, and we know that we must carry a 1 after the addition, thus we can’t have
N=2, because 2 + 7 < 10. If we let N = 3, then 3 + 7 = 10, and B cannot be zero (zero is already
taken), therefore N cannot equal 3. The only other possibility is for N = 6.
It immediately follows that B = 3 (since 6 + 7 = 13)
__11_11
_5O6485
+197485
_ == == == == == ==
_7O3970
8. The only remaining unused digit is 2. Therefore, let O = 2. Then 2 + 9 + 1 = 12, which works
out. The final equation is then:
__11_11
_526485
+197485
_ == == == == == ==
_723970

Adding 526485 with197485 gives the result: 723970, therefore the addition is correct. The
mapping is thus:
0 = T, 1 = G, 2 = O, 3 = B, 4 = A, 5 = D, 6 = N, 7 = R, 8 = L, 9 = E

Send+more=money steps.

Solving a cryptarithm by hand usually involves a mix of deductions and exhaustive tests of
possibilities. For instance, the following sequence of deductions solves Dudeney's SEND +
MORE = MONEY puzzle above (columns are numbered from right to left):

1. From column 5, M = 1 since it is the only carry-over possible from the sum of two single
digit numbers in column 4.
2. To produce a carry from column 4 to column 5, S + M is at least 9, so S is 8 or 9, so S +
M is 9 or 10, and so O is 0 or 1. But M = 1, so O = 0.
3. If there were a carry from column 3 to column 4 then E = 9 and so N = 0. But O = 0, so
there is no carry, and S = 9.
4. If there were no carry from column 2 to column 3 then E = N, which is impossible.
Therefore there is a carry and N = E + 1.
5. If there were no carry from column 1 to column 2, then N + R = E mod 10, and N = E +
1, so E + 1 + R = E mod 10, so R = 9. But S = 9, so there must be a carry from column 1
to column 2 and R = 8.
6. To produce a carry from column 1 to column 2, we must have D + E = 10 + Y. As Y
cannot be 0 or 1, D + E is at least 12. As D is at most 7, then E is at least 5. Also, N is at
most 7, and N = E + 1. So E is 5 or 6.
7. If E were 6 then to make D + E at least 12, D would have to be 7. But N = E + 1, so N
would also be 7, which is impossible. Therefore E = 5 and N = 6.
8. To make D + E at least 12 we must have D = 7, and so Y = 2.
url for cross+ road = danger

http://cryptarithms.awardspace.us/puzzle46.html

I assume no two characters are equal in any way.

If we use numbers, R must be even cause at the end S + S = R ( Odd + Odd and
Even + Even both equal Even, so R's got to be Even )

First conclusion: R is even ( Say, 2, 4, 6, 8, since solution set doesn't consist of any
0 ( i.e. 1-9 only, possibly ) )

Now CROSS
+ROADS
------
DANGER

As you'd notice, D is extra, like something carried over in addition. So D's got to be
1 since any sum of 1-9 will can can give a carry of 1 alone.

So, A will have a value of [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] cause D's already taken 1.

First value found, D = 1

C+R = Set of numbers ( 12,13,14,15,16,17,18 ( 19 not possible as 10 is not


allowed ) )

Which equal only to sums of:

If A: C+R C+R
Case 2:
3+9 || 9+3
4+8 || 8+4
5+7 || 7+5
( Other combo's not possible cause C!=R )

Case 3:
4+9 || 9+4
5+8 || 8+5
6+7 || 7+6

Case 4:
5+9 || 9+5
6+8 || 8+6

Case 5:
6+9 || 9+6
7+8 || 8+7

Case 6:
7+9 || 9+7

Case 7:
8+9 || 9+8

Case 8:
Not Possible as ( 9,9 ) is the only case and C!=R ( Assumed at the beginning of this
puzzle solving )

Thus from the above equation, as R is even, we have R = Possiblity( 4, 6, 8 ) and C


= Possiblity( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 )

So far,
A = ( 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 ) [6's totally Odd for values of R]
D=1
C = ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 )
R = ( 4, 6, 8 )

Now since R is Even and definitely in [4, 6, 8]

From R + O = N, we get R = N - O

Thus,

If R: N-O
Case 4:
9-5
7-3
6-2

( Other combo's not possible as in our assumption, we use R = 4 )

Case 6:
9-3
8-2

Case 8:
Not possible as 1's already taken by D ( 9-1 being the only possible way )

Thus from the above,

N = ( 6, 7, 8, 9 )
O = ( 2, 3, 5 )
A = ( 2, 3, 4, 5 )
D=(1)
C = ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 )
R = ( 4, 6 )

Also, A doesn't have 7 since C + R = A but R has only ( 4, 6 ) while C is ( 4, 5, 6, 7,


8, 9 ) ( Adding C+R will never yeild 17 )

Now similarly, G = O + A

Thus, O = G - A

If O: G-A

Case 2:
7-5
6-4
5-3

Case 3:
8-5
7-4
5-2
( 6-3 not Possible as O!=A, thus I G can't be 6 and A can't be 3 )

Case 5:
9-4
8-3
7-2

This gives us two conclusions,

First, A is now ( 2, 4, 5 )
Second, G is ( 5, 7, 8, 9 )

Phew .. I need a break.

Continuing,

We now have:

A = ( 2, 4, 5 )
D=(1)
C = ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 )
R = ( 4, 6 )
O = ( 2, 3, 5 )
N = ( 6, 7, 8, 9 )
G = ( 5, 7, 8, 9 )

Good so far? I hope so, else my entire evening is lifeless. :?

Now since R = S + S and R has ( 4, 6 )

If R: S+S

Case 4:
2+2

Case 6:
3+3

Therefore, S = ( 2,3 )

Applying for E = S + D, we have:


E = 2+1 = 3 or
E = 3+1 = 4

Thus, E = ( 3,4 )

So this far,

D=(1)
A = ( 2, 4, 5 )
C = ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 )
R = ( 4, 6 )
N = ( 6, 7, 8, 9 )
O = ( 2, 3, 5 )
G = ( 5, 7, 8, 9 )
S = ( 2, 3 )
E = ( 3, 4 )

Not being able to proceed more as I did so long, I try to apply the smallest value
sets to the solution of bigger sets.

If S is 2, R will be equal to 4 ( S + S ) and E will equal 3 ( S + D )

Thus, if R = 4 and E = 3 and S = 2 the only possible values of A will be ( 5 ) and O


will be ( 5 ) too which makes this impossible since A cant equal O.

Thus S will NOT be 2 and is surely 3 instead.

Now if S is 3, we have:

E=S+D=4
R=S+S=6

Thus, we now have possible values as:

D=(1)
A = ( 2, 5 )
C = ( 5, 7, 8, 9 )
R=(6)
N = ( 6, 7, 8, 9 )
O = ( 2, 3, 5 )
G = ( 5, 7, 8, 9 )
S=(3)
E=(4)

Now A = C + R and has got to be either 12 or 15 since it gives D = 1 as carry.

Thus only 9 + 6 satisfies it for A = 5 and 12 isn't possible with the remaining
values.

Hence, A = ( 5 ) and C = ( 9 )

[Proof: C = A - R = 15 - 6 = 9 not considering the Carry character. This proof is


only additive to the above logical result]

So again, so far, removing duplicates as we've been doing,

D=(1)
A=(5)
C=(9)
R=(6)
S=(3)
E=(4)
N = ( 7, 8 )
O=(2)
G = ( 7, 8 )

( As numbers 3, 5 and 9 are already used up. )

Now N = R + O = 6 + 2 = 8 and hence G = 7 ( Odd one out )

[Proof for G: G = O + A = 2 + 5 = 7, again an additive proof.]

Thus finally the solution is,

D=1
A=5
N=8
G=7
E=4
R=6
C=9
O=2
S=3
Or in numeric order:

D=1
O=2
S=3
E=4
A=5
R=6
G=7
N=8
C=9

Phew, took an hour. Hope am not wrong in my approach itself! If I am, I


desperately need a life. :(

P.s. Am attaching the TXT format in case the formatting I typed this in isn't
showing well for reading here.

You might also like