Listener 4125 Elementary Number Theory by Oyler

[dr b]

Elementary, indeed. An easily guessed theme as far as resolving the ambiguities is concerned, leading to a very quick grid fill. The most interesting thing about it was checking the statements against the unclued entries to get to the thematic word. This must have been a lot of work to create, but the nature of the solution was too obvious, I think.

[AndrewG-S]

EV was entertaining this week too, for anyone looking for something to do.

[IainGrace]

Like Tilbee, we normally put the numericals straight to recycling, but this one looks engagingly easy to get into, so we will break a habit of a lifetime.

[JackDeCrow]

Always nice to get another numerical out of the way, although given the word I have ended up with I'm not sure I'd be able to say exactly what "the theme" is!

[cruciverbali]

Not really a 'theme' Jack, though the answer does relate to an important part of the puzzle.

[shelouse]

I believe I have the unique thematic word, but do not see why it is thematic. I see that it could refer to a specific small portion of the completed grid, but is that thematic enough?

Some people have commented on the unexpected appearance of the numerical. We were warned in a note with to a Listener about 6 or 8 weeks ago that the numericals were being rescheduled. I think they will now all appear one week earlier than previously.

[cruciverbali]

Suggest you check carefully shelouse - there is a fairly obvious connection with an important (overall) part of the puzzle.

[shelouse]

Doh!. Like others, the penny as dropped.

Thanks, Oyler. Enjoyed it. I expect most solvers had found the 'property of the grid@ not to be upset by the reveal in the thread.

[ichkeria]

I don't agree. It might have been obvious to you but I am sure that for every "einstein" there were plenty of solvers who found this entertaining and delightful

[ichkeria]

I don't agree at all. It may have been easy to you but I am sure many solvers will have found this puzzle a delight.

[segue]

Many many thanks Oyler. This was particularly well-timed. I've just started tutoring for the GMAT and this level of numerical reasoning is ideal for my students - and more fun than ploughing through questions.

*Digression* For those new to such things, the GMAT involves verbal and numerical reasoning and is one of the obstacles to getting into business school (should you wish to do so). If you're really at a loose end this week you can download free tests from

http://www.mba.com/mb...stpreparationsoftware

and see whether you'd get into Harvard's MBA programme (you'd need 720 - it's scored on a bell curve between 200 and 800). It's a multiple choice computer adaptive test and might help those who fear numericals brush up on high-level GCSE standard Maths. Also if anyone knows more than I about algorithms for such things and has the time, I'd love to pick your brains offline. Digression over.

[ichkeria]

Someone wrote:
"Apologies to Oyler (do you have a connection to Leonhard ?) but although this was well constructed, it required very little skill to solve. No electronic assistance required or any tables other than a prime number list. I don't understand the difficulty with testing N. That it ended up being a sudoku (now that the cat is out of the bag) really just rubs in the harshness that we are deprived of a proper listener crossword for this. Sudokus are available every weekday in T2 and doubtless many other places. I can't see the point."

Required no skill to solve?? Not sure I understand. Surely resorting to electronic assistance/tables etc is the "lack of skill" part.
Also I don't think you mean "Sudoku" do you?
I wouldn't worry about "letting the cat out of the bag" - presumably solvers who don't want their fun spoilt and have a modicum of intelligence, are not going to go looking up Listener crossword threads on here.

[JackDeCrow]

late chuckle from me, having finally realised why the final word is thematic!

[x_word_fan]

Surely statement "R" and " no entry starts with a zero" gave the game away long before the post on here?

[catstail]

Started this yesterday. The grid fill was straight forward and I just need to work through the statements for the long numbers. So far, not as entertaining as previous mathematical puzzles. My use of excel is improving though thanks to the mathematical ones - am starting using VB programs now. This has turned out to be more interesting.

[teuchter2]

Not quite finished yet as I have been entertaining, but had got the property of the grid before visiting thread. However I have obviously made a mistake somewhere as mine doesn't quite work out as yet. I never was much good at the number ones, but do enjoy them if I can get into them at all and I have learned the definition of a triangular number and a composite number.

[tenflags]

Johnny come lately (as usual) to this one. I sometimes check here early to see how much of a stinker I can expect - but not with the maths tests (wish I had paid more attention at school) also a friend warned me to wait until done. I like most figured the property very early on but enjoyable none the less. Well done Oyler. Have the word and will now scratch head further about PDM precise theme association.

BTW Segue your comment brings back memories; as I initially went to the university of life but then had to do a GMAT later as part of an entrance process to do my MBA (or Master of Bu**er All - as it's also affectionately known) as a mature student.

[trux]

Like many others, had guessed at property almost before beginning gridfill .... which then speeded up considerably (and eventually meant I only had to verify my answers rather than solve the clues). IMHO it was an unnecessary shame, but no tragedy, that property was revealed here for early ABers. Very much liked the limited number of letters satisfying the statements for two 9-digit numbers - and resultant word. Thanks, Oyler.

[logophile]

I agree with previous contributors that there must be a mistake in the preamble - the only 'ambiguity' I could find was the choice of 1 or 3 in a bottom row cell.

[Clamzy]

I believe the preamble was correct - I found the four. As the preamble also hinted that these would be resolved and the centre digit deduced by the unclued entries, this was the obvious place to look for them.

[Alekhine]

I thought this was a disappointing effort. I'm not convinced that this puzzle can actually be solved without guessing at the property ... after which it becomes very easy to complete the grid. In other words, the property is vital to the solution and yet has to be assumed.

It also feels less than elegant to me that Statement 'R' only seems to be used in a negative sense. A late bit of wallpapering over the cracks by Oyler methinks?