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Math Squares Conundrum - Scared of Squares Mystery Cache

Hidden : 5/10/2016
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The posted coordinates for this cache are incorrect. You're going to have to solve a puzzle to find it. Well, four puzzles, actually...

This cache was published in conjunction with GCG624F, the Miami Valley Caching Conundrum #25, hosted by VPPlayer, who also checked the puzzles and final location for accuracy.


Math squares are a particularly annoying type of puzzle in which you're given some equations and their solutions, but not the numbers that go into said equations. Fortunately, you already know going in that only the digits 1 through 9 are used and each appears only once in each puzzle. That helps somewhat, but you're still probably going to have a headache by the time you get to the second or third puzzle. I recommend taking some aspirin before you even start, sort of like a preemptive strike...

Anyway, your goal is to use all the digits 1 through 9 in such a way that all the equations in a given puzzle work out exactly as shown. You'll need to do the mathematical operations in order from left to right and top to bottom (don't do multiplication or division first). For example, if you have A+BxC=10, you could have A=1, B=4 and C=2, but not A=4, B=2 and C=3. If you try other math squares puzzles elsewhere, they may work differently, so check the rules before proceeding.

The final is not a park and grab, so don't park on the main road...use the nearby side street. To get to the cache you will need to take some squares...errr, stairs. Expect lots of muggles if the weather's nice.

Math Squares puzzles

You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Puzzle] Qba'g sbetrg gur nfcveva! [Hide] YCP

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)