ev 776

[Physicsgirl]

might as well start a thread on this week's ev. So, how's everyone doing? I got off to a blinding start and then ground to a halt after about 12 clues. Could someone confirm 10 as IMP(E)TRATION and explain the cryptic part for me? Thanks as ever! Hope you all had a nice weekend.

[MatydaLover]

I think the essence is the very unexpected idea that an irrational number (unending decimal places) can be made a whole number (to 1 part in 10 to the 12) by just a couple of simple operations. And the fact the the source of the irrational number is such a very well known number, makes you wonder if it is more than coincidence ... especially given its realtionship to the golden ratio.

Still, I guess you have to be interested in numbers, the universe, life and everything to embrace the beauty in the simplicity behind the apparent chaos. Maybe I mean I'm just weird.

[ulysses100]

Christiana : clues to 1,3,4 and 5
1. anagram plus missing letter S
3 about =a ; that is= abbreviation ; in a retreat plus unused U
4 I can't explain the answer that I have which is eclAt
5 Has already been explained as quinary

[Christiana]

Thanks for help. I had eclat since near the beginning but couldn't explain it and got quinary just now. Thanks for help with others. Could I also query 33 is that Trash paper and 34 for which I am toying with rancer. Can find 'rance' a bar, but can't get the rest. Apart from that have finished.

[ulysses100]

33 is tradE papEr
34 taverN

...and I like your reasoning to end up with answer to clue 16 !

[MatydaLover]

ecl(A)t ... CLT = Computer Language Translator ... they are commonly known as compilers.

[Christiana]

Thanks both of you. Had put pastry rather than patty for last part of 13 hence having wrong letter at beginning.

[slaney]

Thinking about the clue to be highlighted ...could not pentangles/hexagons- both symbols of Satan- be regarded as quinary ?

[crofter]

Hi Slaney,

Since [1 +4sin(666)]^2 = 5 (anad) and the solution to Clue 5 has "fives" as the definitive theme, I shall be highlighting QUINAY.

[Physicsgirl]

good grief! I go out to work for the day and in my absence many cogs have been turning here on AB. I would NEVER have got no. 36, so thanks for that. Will read properly through the goings-on and see if I add anything of use (this last, unlikely!)
Matydalover - it's comforting to know there are others out there who feel this way about numbers. You are not alone!

[Physicsgirl]

have finished except for one cell - clue 17 TEI? (with one or more Rs having been removed). TERRIER fits but surely not - I cannot understand how it could be. If it's TERAI then my answer to 3 (U)NEASIEST is blatantly wrong. Please could someone also explain SPECU(L)UM (my answer to 11), as have had to logically guess the last few. Hate doing that as it seems wrong for such a well-crafted piece of consternation!

[crofter]

Taking out all three R's leaves you with TEIE.

You are still "on course"!

[slaney]

Hi crofter .. thanks for the confirmation.

I meant pentangle/pentagon...it's been a long day!

[slaney]

Hi Physics girl
11.Characteristic=peculiar
liar denied--take away liar..leaving pecu
cracking whole,which is sum
s pecu(l) um

[Physicsgirl]

hooray! I got there. Feel much better having answers confirmed, it feels like cheating when I have to ask for clues. Thank you. My last query is 31 - I have STRO(LL)ER. Where did the RO come from - is it referring to the overtake bit (as in Run Out from cricket). Sorry if this seems like a no brainer for some, but I do like to find out.

[crofter]

Tramp (STROLLER) steamer beginning (S) to (TO) overtake (around R = recipe/take) to QEII (ER)

This was my take on this challenging clue!

[mad max]

I was just about to give up on this one but thanks to this thread it got me going again ,now complete,thanks to you all

[Physicsgirl]

hooray for AB!

[Christiana]

Had to go on an airport run to pick up my visitors, feed them etc. but now they're safely in bed I feel free to join in with Physics Girl and say 'hoorah for AB' and with Mad Max as I'm sure I would have given up if I'd had to tackle that one on my own. Terrier was the last one I got - thought I'd finished then spotted that one unfilled light.

[cruciverbali]

Another fantastic mathematically-themed puzzle from Mango, and yet more evidence that EV really is becoming the most challenging weekly thematic - the title of this one alone is pure brilliance. I didn't realise the significance of the number 5 until I researched The Golden Ratio and saw that the square root of 5 appears in its formula ( see nostalgia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mean ) - hats off to the 'Golden Trio' !!

C

[MatydaLover]

... and another thing ... for STROLLER. In Chamber's STR is an abbreviation for steamer, then beginning to overtake ... etc.

I will echo C's sentiments. Great one, Mango!