columbus area mensa, col-m, puzzles, 2001 january

Puzzles — by Dick Nuenke

Check out Quest for more brain exercises.

The December 2000 cryptogram was:

A STRAW VOTE ONLY SHOWS WHICH WAY THE HOT AIR BLOWS — O. HENRY

Correct answers came from Margie Breckenridge, Delmar Burkitt, Andrzej Derdzinski, John Jackson, Alma Litten, Julia Minturn, Carla Nuenke, and Sally Yocom.

The second puzzle dealt with determining Nicola's locker number, based on comparing the factors of the other seven lockers. The correct answer was 851.

Finally, the third puzzle required the determination of a walking route with seven stops. The correct path is ABEDCFGA. Both puzzle #2 and #3 were solved by Andrzej Derdzinski and Bob Kaplan.

For the year there were a total of 38 puzzles. It was somewhat of an off year, with only a total of 24 people submitting answers. Andrzej Derdzinski once again had the best total, with 37 correct, followed by Jeff Gerken with 21 and Delmar Burkitt with 18. Joining both Andrzej and Jeff with perfect scores on the monthly cryptograms (included in the 38) were Alma Litten, Julia Minturn, Carla Nuenke, and Sally Yocom.

Thanks to all who sent in puzzle answers, along with interesting comments and analyses. While "Quest" is a separate puzzle-type column, I want to acknowledge here the great effort Alma Litten put into searching out the answers each month.

This month's first puzzle is the cryptogram. Each letter stands for a different letter in the decoded message. It's an old quote which seems relevant to today.

U L I X : I X J T R H I D O P X R I B R S H A P W L K L C B C D X X P B R ' H Q L V X D I L P B E X B C L L K L C J T P H X K C B R S B V D X F E L C J T H F L O R I D A.
— B P W D L H X W T X D F X

A man had an empty jug and a keg containing 10 gallons of wine. He poured out a jug full of wine and then refilled the keg with water to the 10-gallon mark. He stirred the contents of the keg until thoroughly mixed. He then poured out another jug of the water/wine mixture and again refilled the keg until it contained 10 gallons of liquid. At this point the keg contains 50% wine and 50% water. What is the capacity of the jug?

This puzzle is adapted from the column Enigma by Martin Hollis in the New Scientist by permission.

The Party had just chosen its nominees for high office, who, having duly confided their belief in peace, progress, and plenty, were voted on by the members present. The members have been tight lipped about the voting figures, but the candidates were apparently more forthcoming.

Tabulated at the right are the votes which the candidates (listed down the left) allege were received by various other candidates (listed across the top).

For instance, D says that F scored 10. You will need to know, however, that there were three candidates of each sex, that each had overstated the votes of his or her own sex and understated those for anyone of the opposite sex, and that the same number of votes was cast for men as for women. Can you reveal the true voting figures?

Correct answers and puzzle solvers will appear next month. Send answers by January 15th to Dick Nuenke; 1460 Kingsgate Rd.; Columbus, OH 43221 or call in (recording 24 hours) to 614-326-0452; fax to 614-292-4118; or e-mail to rnuenke@columbus.rr.com (best bet).