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Quixotic Quandary Mystery Cache

Hidden : 11/1/2013
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is the description of a puzzle cache. The cache is not at the posted coordinates. You'll need to solve the puzzle below to learn the actual coordinates.

This cache contains a clue
for Meta Mystery.
Click here to learn more.

Because of the keen interest that local cachers have shown in finding the last cache of a series before the caches that precede it have been published, this puzzle provides two completely different ways to learn its coordinates. The first approach will involve computer programming and can be started right away, but will be quite challenging. The second approach will involve solving a series of six puzzle caches, but you'll have to wait for the puzzles to be published.

First Approach. I have carefully chosen two prime numbers, p and q. At the exact center of p are the seven digits of the cache's north coordinate; at the exact center of q are the eight digits of the cache's west coordinate. Below is the 231-digit product of p and q.

7836433242313409469034370172975222717794974920676797127
0602084280654978846911793067055107454083660137402247523
9865831330986987130579369998853395091574912832418442266
4668860104139111512380240654868296989352348898483995223
90587418861

All you have to do is determine p and q, pick out the coordinates, and you'll be done.

Second Approach. If you're not up to the first approach, you'll need to assemble and correctly interpret a puzzle. The puzzle consists of nine 1x1 pieces that you must combine into the 3x3 solution. You will find one puzzle piece in each of the following six caches.

Unfortunately, you'll have to create the three missing pieces. Fortunately, the three missing pieces are identical.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

syng fghzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)