All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > General > Cryptography
13-Letter Key (Posted on 2013-05-16) Difficulty: 3 of 5
A simple replacement code can be created by using a 13-letter phrase with no repeated letters, such as the following:

PUBLICSERVANT
DFGHJKMOQWXYZ

The letters below the 13-letter phrase are the other 13 letters of the alphabet, in alphabetic order.

Any given message can be encoded or decoded by finding each given letter among the 26 on the chart, and replacing it with the letter above or below it.

A different 13-letter phrase has been used in forming the key to encyphering a sentence, below. Again, of course that key phrase has no repeating letters.

The message:

THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG

is, in this code:

PQS HGCIJ LXMZF NMR KGOTE MDSX PQS BYWA VMU

As was to be expected the replacements are mutual: for example, N codes F and F codes N.

What was the 13-letter phrase used in forming the key to this code?


From the 2013 Mensa 365 Brain Puzzlers for 2013 calendar, puzzle for May 1, by Mark Danna and Fraser Simpson, Workman Publishing, New York, NY.

See The Solution Submitted by Charlie    
Rating: 4.4000 (5 votes)

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
re: Slightly different phraseSteve Herman2013-10-06 11:11:37
Slightly different phraseLarry2013-10-06 10:48:25
SolutionAnswerMath Man2013-05-22 09:46:16
re(2): Two Phrasesbrianjn2013-05-16 23:41:26
re: Two PhrasesSteve Herman2013-05-16 23:12:39
Two Phrasesbrianjn2013-05-16 21:57:58
Fleeing Successfullybrianjn2013-05-16 21:29:27
SolutionFortunate guesses (spoiler)Steve Herman2013-05-16 19:18:33
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information