Each different letter in the below matrix represents a different integer from 1 through 8, the same letter always representing the same integer. The product of all four numbers represented in a given row appears to the right of that row. The product of each column appears at the bottom of the column. Just to make things interesting, the rows and columns spell out words.
|
E
|
L
|
M
|
S
|
360
|
|
M
|
O
|
A
|
T
|
70
|
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
A
|
100
|
|
A
|
M
|
E
|
N
|
240
|
|
150
|
280
|
150
|
96
|
|
Find the value of each letter.
From Mensa Puzzle Calendar 2021 by Fraser Simpson, Workman Publishing, New York. Puzzle for June 17.
280 and 70 are the only two products that contain a factor of 7, so
O = 7.
The rest of row 2 must be populated by 1, 2, and 5 in some order. Since MAMA = 100, neither M nor A can be 1, so
T = 1. M and A are 2 and 5, in some order.
If M = 2 then MAME = 20E = 150, which isn't possible. So M = 5, A = 2, and E = 3.
Then AMEN = 30N = 240, so N = 8.
Then STAN = 16S = 96, so S = 6.
Finally ELMS = 90L = 360, so L = 4.
The finished grid looks like:
3456
5721
5252
2538
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Posted by tomarken
on 2021-06-28 08:21:57 |
Solution
