Every letter of the alphabet is given a nonzero numerical value which need not be an integer. The value of a word is the product of the values of its letters. For example, if c=2, a=4, and t=3, then "cat" has the value 2*4*3=24.

Suppose that every pair of homophones has equal values (thus, ate=eight, implying a=igh).

Show that every letter of the alphabet has value 1.

(In reply to Brute force by nikki)

I had included this in the original wording, but somehow it got removed:

Use dictionary.com as the authority on pronunciations.

Posted by David Shin on 2005-01-18 21:38:24