Mystery Hunt 2012 Recast: COMPLETE!!!

[gftt*]

Egads. This looks ridiculously hard.


d(x) =
d(ATE) =
d(MOOD) =

Possibly reversal? ETA, DOOM?

f(x) =
f(PROS) =
f(9) = PICKS

Maybe it's "add a letter to get a homophone"? f(PROS) = PROSE
f(PICS) = PICKS?

g(x) =
g(OGRESS) = OGRES?

OGRESS -> OGRES seems too boring. Maybe OGRESS->PROGRESS?

[novice]

ATE = a(b(c(d(ATE))))

BOREDOM = e(f(g(h(MOS))), i(PAY))

BOWL = j(k(l(FRIES)), a(MEGA))

ITEM = a(m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO)))

LOSE = n(h(d(i(SOT))))

NOM = h(f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)))))

PETROL = l(b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK)))))

PICKS = f(b(g(k(PAUPER))))

j(m(i(l(c(f(i(d(b(m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP)))))))), n(a(d(g(OGRESS))))),
e(i(a(g(h(i(g(b(e(c(b(d(MOOD))), k(LEG))))))))), b(m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)))))

---

Functions, with sample inputs and outputs:

a(x) = (move last two letters to the front?)
a(SIN) = (IN)S?
a(b(c(d(ATE)))) = ATE = a(EAT) ?
a(MEGA) = (GA)ME?
a(m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO))) = ITEM = (EM)IT?

b(x) =
b(c(d(ATE))) = EAT? = b(c(ETA))?
b(l(ELEVATOR)) =
b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK)))) =
b(g(k(PAUPER))) =
b(m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)) = b(m(n(f(PROS)), INS) ? =
b(d(MOOD)) = b(DOOM) ? =
b(k(NAVY)) =
b(m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP)) =

c(x) =
c(d(ATE)) = c(ETA)?
c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY))) =
c(b(d(MOOD))) = c(b(DOOM)) ? =

d(x) = reversal?
d(ATE) = ETA?
d(MOOD) = DOOM?
d(i(SOT)) =

e(x, y) = center y inside x?
e(f(g(h(MOS))), i(PAY)) = BOREDOM = BO(RED)OM?
e(GO, i(n(BREAK))) =
e(c(b(d(MOOD))), k(LEG)) = e(c(b(DOOM)), k(LEG)) =

f(x) = add letter for homophone?
f(PROS) = PROSE?
f(b(g(k(PAUPER)))) = PICKS = f(PICS) ?
f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)))) =

g(x) = remove pairs of letters?
g(OGRESS) = OGRE?
g(h(MOS)) =
g(k(PAUPER)) =

h(x) =
h(MOS) =
h(f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY))))) = NOM
h(d(i(SOT))) =

i(x) =
i(SOT) =
i(PAY) =
i(n(BREAK)) =

j(x, y) =
j(k(l(FRIES)), a(MEGA)) = j(k(l(FRIES)), GAME?) = BOWL
j(BEATS, TOO) = ET ????
j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)) = j(GROUND, GRAVITY?) =

k(x) =
k(NAVY) =
k(LEG) =
k(PAUPER) =
k(l(FRIES)) =

l(x) =
l(FRIES) =
l(ELEVATOR) =
l(b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK))))) = PETROL

m(x, y) = put x inside of y, to the right?
m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP) =
m(IT, GRAVY) = GRAV(IT)Y?
m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO)) = EMIT? = E(MI)T ?? => b(l(ELEVATOR)) = MI, j(BEATS, TOO) = ET ???
m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)) = m(n(PROSE), INS) ? =

n(x) =
n(BREAK) =
n(h(d(i(SOT)))) = LOSE
n(a(d(g(OGRESS)))) = n(a(d(OGRE))) = n(a(ERGO)) = n(GOER)
n(f(PROS)) = n(PROSE?)

[Suspence]

To be honest, I have no idea what is even going on, or what any of novice's work means.
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[novice]

[SuperSlug]

Hi there.
Read all 37 pages of this topic yesterday and I'm ready to contribute.

~~~~~
Course 7E
OK, 3 different websites with three slightly different Tech Trees brings us the follwing:

Course Titles matched with Zerg Buildings:
Animal Flight I (Spire)
Animal Flight II (Greater Spire)
Basic Lifeforms I (Spawning Pool)
Basic Lifeforms II (Baneling Nest)
Colony Behavior I (Hatchery)
Colony Behavior II (Hive)
Life Underground I (Lair)
Life Underground II (Nydus Network)
Nest Protection I (Spore Crawler)
Nest Protection II (Spine Crawler)
Non-Oxygen-Based Lifeforms (Extractor)
Parasites (Infestation Pit)
Predator Mutations I (Evolution Chamber)
Predator Mutations II (Hydralisk Den)
Predator Mutations III (Ultralisk Cavern)
Wound Healing (Roach Warren)

Course Numbers matched with Zerg Buildings:
01 Extractor (Pq: N/A)
02 Hatchery (Pq: N/A)
03 Evolution Chamber (Pq: Hatchery)
04 Spore Crawler (Pq: Evolution Chamber)
09 Spawning Pool (Pq: Hatchery)
12 Baneling Nest (Pq: Spawning Pool)
13 Lair (Pq: Spawning Pool) from Hatchery
15 Infestation Pit (Pq: Lair)
17 Roach Warren (Pq: Spawning Pool)
18 Nydus Network (Pq: Lair)
20 Hive (Pq: Infestation Pit) from Lair
26 Hydralisk Den (Pq: Lair)
28 Ultralisk Cavern (Pq: Hive)
29 Spire (Pq: Lair)
31 Spine Crawler (Pq: Spawning Pool)
35 Greater Spire (Pq: Hive) from Spire

Use Course Numbers to index into Course Descriptions:
DUALMODENORSEMAN or DUAL MODE NORSEMAN

Under Terran Units there are choices of THOR and VIKING.
Thor - huge bipedal war machine armed with a dorsal artillery battery.
Viking - ultimate anti-air and ground-support weapon system with the ability to change from an assault walker to an air-superiority fighter.


I suggest call in VIKING ~sluggy
_________________
Some people are lost in the shuffle. I'm shuffling along with the lost.

[LordKinbote]

VIKING is correct. Welcome to the fun!

[LordKinbote]

Updated the count. We've got this puzzle, three more rounds of 8 puzzles each, and 4 more metas to solve. The end is in sight!

[Suspence]

Thanks for the update LK, and welcome SuperSlug...nice solving.
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[SuperSlug]

Thank you for the front page update LordK (it was some what confusing yesterday but I figured out where you actually were after reading the thread).

Phantom of the Operator
I looked at the impressive list of functions information and then wandered off to the Phantom meta list.

All these words appear on a list of recommended exchange names.
(Be careful, the puzzle solution will be one of the top choices if you Google the answer list. I quickly scrolled it up the page so I couldn't read it inadvertently.)

[LordKinbote]

DIAL TONE RECITATIVE is correct.

Since you've made the solving of "Functions" less important, let's move on to the next round, shall we? Feel free to keep solving "Functions" or backsolving if you wish.

Next critic round: Sheila Sunshine

Investigator's Report

Old puzzles are numbered. New puzzles are unnumbered.

First puzzle: Curiouser and Curiouser by Michael Colao

[gftt*]

[LordKinbote]

[SuperSlug]

Acrostic down the first letters of the clues:
GARFIELD, BAGPUSS, FIGARO

Do we need to refer to the musical CATS?

Edit:
I think, yes.

Generate a new route through the wilderness; pioneer
TRAILBLAZE T Grizabella G

An alkaline cleaning material used in Commonwealth countries to remove tarry masses not easily removed by common cleansers
SUGAR SOAP O Asparagus A

Regal king who was the first ruler of all of the British Isles


Fully or partially undergoes changes in state or condition. Loses one’s or its original nature
MUTATES T Admetus D

It means equipped with or wearing a soldier’s broad shoulder belt having small pockets or loops for cartridges
BANDOILERED A Griddlebone G

Examples of these weevil pests include the Bluegrass, Denver, Phoenician, and Hunting varieties.
BILLBUGS G Sillabub A

Little anterior dorsal piece of the thoracic segment of an insect
PRESCUTUM E Rumpus Cat A

Desirable appliance that can compress refuse into relatively small parcels for disposal
COMPACTOR M Coricopat I

Being able to affect the feelings or sympathies of someone watching


A French word for a wide variety of aquatic decapods, often used in reference to gastronomy


Genius-level honorific used to describe Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Rotten, Joe Strummer and a few other experts
PUNK MASTER E Munkustrap U

Particularly in the American Old West, this was an establishment that served alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises
SALOON S Alonzo Z

Unholy mess, catastrophe, disaster
CALAMITY L Macavity V

Said to be living with the god Pan, these people make their home in a land that has become synonymous with being pastoral and beautiful
ARCADIANS I Cassandra S

Sportsperson who intercepts and often brings down to the ground an opposing player in a physical challenge
TACKLER K Electra E

Flake, face or gild
PLATE E Plato O

It’s the surname of actress Tamara, whose credits include more than 60 episodes each of two daytime soap operas, and a guest spot on the Mentalist
CLATTERBUCK L Carbucketty Y

Gluttony, rapacity, greediness
VORACITY Y Victoria I

A “Black” variety of this Malaysian plant has a top said to resemble a beehive
GINGERWORT N Growltiger L

Registered, set down, posted
ENTERED N Demeter M

Often referred to as a Paddy Wagon or Black Maria and used to either transport prisoners, or alternatively to rapidly transport officers
POLICE VAN E Pouncival U

One letter different in defined word vs. cat name

~sluggy

Letters from defined words:
TO-TAGEM--ESLIKELYNNE or TO-TAGEM--ES LIKE LYNNE

Gillian Lynne is the choreographer for Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.
TO sTAGE MovES LIKE LYNNE is to choreograph.

Call in CHOREOGRAPH
_________________
Some people are lost in the shuffle. I'm shuffling along with the lost.

[novice]

SuperSlug is on fire!

[novice]

[novice]

[novice]

If a is synonyms and j is word completion, we get
j(k(l(FRIES)), a(MEGA)) = j(k(CHIPS), SUPER) = j(FISH, SUPER) = BOWL

[novice]

g could be changing the sex of a word, so:

g(OGRESS) = OGRE
f(b(g(k(PAUPER)))) = PICKS = f(b(g(PRINCE))) = f(b(PRINCESS)) = f(PICS)

so b is taking every second letter.

[novice]

[novice]

Updated hypotheses:

ATE = a(b(c(d(ATE))))
BOREDOM = e(f(g(h(MOS))), i(PAY))
BOWL = j(k(l(FRIES)), a(MEGA))
ITEM = a(m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO)))
LOSE = n(h(d(i(SOT))))
NOM = h(f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)))))
PETROL = l(b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK)))))
PICKS = f(b(g(k(PAUPER))))
j(m(i(l(c(f(i(d(b(m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP)))))))), n(a(d(g(OGRESS))))),
e(i(a(g(h(i(g(b(e(c(b(d(MOOD))), k(LEG))))))))), b(m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)))))

---

Functions, with sample inputs and outputs:

a(x) = rotate letters for a new word
a(SIN) = INS
a(b(c(d(ATE)))) = ATE = a(b(c(ETA))) = a(b(THETA)) = a(TEA) = ATE
a(MEGA) = GAME
a(m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO))) = ITEM = a(MITE)

b(x) = Remove every second letter (odd or even)
b(c(d(ATE))) = TEA = b(c(ETA)) = b(THETA)
b(l(ELEVATOR)) = b(LIFT) = IT
b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK)))) = GAS = b(GOA.S.)
b(g(k(PAUPER))) = b(g(PRINCE)) = b(PRINCESS) = PICS
b(m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)) = b(m(n(PROSE), INS) =
b(d(MOOD)) = b(DOOM) = DO
b(k(NAVY)) = b(ARMY) = AM
b(m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP)) = b(m(AM, PREP)) = b(PREAMP) = RAP

c(x) = Next word in sequence
c(d(ATE)) = c(ETA) = THETA
c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY))) = c(j(GROUND, GRAVITY)) = c(ZERO) = ONE
c(b(d(MOOD))) = c(b(DOOM)) = c(DO) = RE

d(x) = reverse the letters
d(ATE) = ETA
d(MOOD) = DOOM
d(i(SOT)) = d(MIN) = NIM

e(x, y) = concatenate
e(f(g(h(MOS))), i(PAY)) = BOREDOM = BORE+DOM
e(GO, i(n(BREAK))) = GOA.S.
e(c(b(d(MOOD))), k(LEG)) = e(c(b(DOOM)), k(LEG)) = e(RE, ARM) = REARM

f(x) = homophone
f(PROS) = PROSE
f(b(g(k(PAUPER)))) = PICKS = f(PICS)
f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)))) = f(ONE) = WON
f(g(h(MOS))) = f(BOAR) = BORE

g(x) = change sex of word
g(OGRESS) = OGRE
g(h(MOS)) = g(SOW) = BOAR
g(k(PAUPER)) = g(PRINCE) = PRINCESS
g(RAM) = EWE

h(x) = turn upside down
h(MOS) = SOW
h(f(c(j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY))))) = h(f(ONE)) = h(WON) = NOM
h(d(i(SOT))) = h(NIM) = WIN

i(x) = caesar shift
i(SOT) = MIN
i(PAY) = DOM
i(n(BREAK)) = A.S.
i(PAR) = WHY
i(EWE) = WOW
i(ADD) = BEE / ILL / LOO

j(x, y) = word completing x and starting y
j(k(l(FRIES)), a(MEGA)) = j(FISH, GAME) = BOWL
j(BEATS, TOO) = ME
j(GROUND, m(IT, GRAVY)) = j(GROUND, GRAVITY) = ZERO

k(x) = word association, change to other word in word pair
k(NAVY) = ARMY
k(LEG) = ARM
k(PAUPER) = PRINCE
k(l(FRIES)) = k(CHIPS) = FISH

l(x) = britishisms, change to british version of word
l(FRIES) = CHIPS
l(ELEVATOR) = LIFT
l(b(e(GO, i(n(BREAK))))) = PETROL = l(GAS)

m(x, y) = put the first word inside the other
m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP) = m(AM, PREP) = PREAMP
m(IT, GRAVY) = GRAVITY
m(b(l(ELEVATOR)), j(BEATS, TOO)) = m(b(LIFT), ME) = m(IT, ME) = MITE
m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)) = m(n(PROSE), INS) = INVERSES

n(x) = antonym
n(BREAK) =
n(h(d(i(SOT)))) = LOSE = n(WIN)
n(a(d(g(OGRESS)))) = n(a(d(OGRE))) = n(a(ERGO)) = n(GOER) = COMER
n(f(PROS)) = n(PROSE) = VERSE

Solution:
j(m(i(l(c(f(i(d(b(m(b(k(NAVY)), PREP)))))))), n(a(d(g(OGRESS))))),
e(i(a(g(h(i(g(b(e(c(b(d(MOOD))), k(LEG))))))))), b(m(n(f(PROS)), a(SIN)))))

= j(m(i(l(c(f(i(PAR))))), n(GOER)),
e(i(a(g(h(i(g(b(e(c(DO), ARM)))))))), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))

= j(m(i(l(c(f(i(PAR))))), n(GOER)),
e(i(a(g(h(i(EWE))))), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))

= j(m(i(l(c(f(i(PAR))))), n(GOER)),
e(i(a(g(h(WOW)))), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))

= j(m(i(l(c(f(i(PAR))))), n(GOER)), e(i(ADD), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(i(l(c(f(WHY)))), n(GOER)), e(i(ADD), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(i(l(c(Y))), n(GOER)), e(i(ADD), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(i(l(Z)), n(GOER)), e(i(ADD), b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(i(ZED), n(GOER)), e(BEE / ILL / LOO, b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(PUT, n(GOER)), e(BEE / ILL / LOO, b(m(n(PROSE), INS))))
= j(m(PUT, n(GOER)), e(BEE / ILL / LOO, b(m(VERSE, INS))))
= j(m(PUT, n(GOER)), e(BEE / ILL / LOO, b(INVERSES)))
= j(m(PUT, n(GOER)), e(BEE / ILL / LOO, NESS))
= j(m(PUT, n(GOER)), ILLNESS)
= j(m(PUT, COMER), ILLNESS)
= j(COMPUTER, ILLNESS)
= TERMINAL

[novice]

Forward solving confirms that the answer to Functions is TERMINAL.

[gftt]

PREAMP is a word? New to me!

Nice work.

We have all of the answers for the first part of Sheila Sunshine's meta: http://www.mit.edu/~puzzle/12/sheila_sunshine/investigators_report/

The 10 answers are
STERNO
VIKING
RUSHHOUR
PERSHING
RESTSTOP
DRUNKTANK
STARTOVER
TORCHWOOD
COSPONSORS
BAKINGSODA

so 18 different letters used (missing FJLMQXYZ) corresponding to the 18 different mirror types. We need the last mirror (the only ones that splits a beam into two) for grids 1 7 8 9 and it can't be the R so it has to be O.

[LordKinbote]

TERMINAL is right. CHOREOGRAPH is right.

Disorder of Operations by Kai Huang

[gftt]

By the way the Sheila Sunshine meta seems to imply that all answers this round are 11 letters long.

[SuperSlug]

[gftt]

R has to let light go out the top and the left (based on grids 3 & 5) but it can't be 1, 16, 3, or 12 (based on grid 5). It must therefore be 11.

From grid 7, if beam 1 is to get to the splitter it now has only one choice - to come down from above. Hence A can't be mirror 1 and must be mirror 12.

[novice]

[novice]

Disorder of Operations

AABEHIPTZ - ALPHABETIZED minus LED
EROMEVEHLAHPBASEEWINHEELRE
EUGCHATERAPRIEINDIE
GRSHTERVER
ISCASYMOLSWIHCVEANSAIHSEMENS
LMRSVVW - REMOVE VOWELS (alphabetized and removed vowels)
NCORIFHTSUJPEK
OLASOULLRS
OMIEVEYFOTHYML
RMHRRSHRHYMWHHWRKY
WSPAEHCRIFOLT

34, 7, 11, 13, 15, 33, 13, 6, 16, 9, 18

[LordKinbote]

[groza528]

Functions looks like a really cool puzzle and I'm going to try to go back and look at it on my own later. I love IPA during the hunt.

[gftt]

[novice]

Disorder of Operations

1: AABEHIPTZ - ALPHABETIZE and then remove every fourth symbol
2: EROMEVEHLAHPBASEEWINHEELRE - swapping letters pairwise yields REMOVE HEALPHABESWENIEHLEER - which is REMOVE THE ALPHABET'S TWENTIETH LETTER with T removed.
3: EUGCHATERAPRIEINDIE - E(XP)U(N)G(E)CHA(RAC)TER(S)A(T)PRI(M)EINDI(C)E(S) and then remove doubled letter (A)
4: GRSHTERVER - REV(E)R(S)E TH(E) S(T)R(IN)G and then remove prime-indexed letters
5: ISCASYMOLSWIHCVEANSAIHSEMENS - (D)ISCA(RD) SYM(B)OLS WI(T)H C(UR)VE(D) AN(D) S(TR)AI(G)H(T) SE(G)MEN(T)S - discarding symbols with both curved and straight segments, and removing T
6: LMRSVVW - REMOVE VOWELS (alphabetized and removed vowels)
7: NCORIFHTSUJPEK - KEEP JUST THE FIRST OCCURRENCES - with duplicates removed and the string reversed
8: OLASOULLRS - (C)OL(L)A(P)S(ED)OU(B)L(ED)L(ETTE)RS - collapsed doubled letters first, giving COLAPSEDOUBLEDLRS, then remove characters that rhyme with the word key to get (C)OLA(P)S(ED)OU(B)L(ED)LRS
9: OMIEVEYFOTHYML - OMIT EVERY FOURTH SYMBOL after before removing curved/straight symbols
10: RMHRRSHRHYMWHHWRKY - REMOVE CHARACTERS THAT RHYME WITH THE WORD KEY and also remove vowels
11: WSPAEHCRIFOLT - SWAP EACH PAIR OF LETTERS and then only keep the first occurrences

34, 7, 11, 13, 15, 33, 13, 6, 16, 9, 18

---

Order of operations:
1:
Alphabetize
is before
Omit every fourth symbol

2.
Remove the alphabet's twentieth letter
is before
Swap each pair of letters

3.
Expunge characters at prime indices
Is before
Collapse doubled letters

4.
Reverse the string
is before
Expunge characters at prime indices

5.
Discard symbols with curved and straight segments
is before or after (can't tell)
Remove the alphabet's twentieth letter

6.
Alphabetize
is before or after (can't tell)
Remove vowels

7.
Keep just the first occurrences
is before
Reverse the string

8.
Collapse doubled letters
Is before
Remove characters that rhyme with the word key

9.
Omit every fourth symbol
is before
Discard symbols with curved and straight segments

10.
Remove characters that rhyme with the word key
is before or after
Remove vowels

11.
Swap each pair of letters
is before
Keep just the first occurrences

[gftt]

WSPAEHCRIFOLT - SWAP EACH PAIR OF LETTERS after removing duplicate letters?

[gftt]

4 is REVERSE THE STRING but can't quite tell the other modification.

[kaihuang]

[gftt]

S must funnel light from the right downward but also must funnel light from above downward (grid 9). It has to be mirror 10.

G and H have to let light from below go up, but also let some light go down. They are 1 and 5 in some order.

K: Grids 2 and 6 tell us that it lets some light go right and some light go down, but light from the right can't go down. The only choice left is mirror 2.

E must be mirror 3.

T must be mirror 9, so B is 15. Leaves N at 14. H is then 1 and G is 5.

U is 8 so P is 13. V is 16. So I is 7. W = 6 D = 17 C= 4

[novice]

Disorder of Operations

34, 7, 11, 13, 15, 33, 13, 6, 16, 9, 18

---

Order of operations:

Alphabetize
is before
Omit every fourth symbol
is before
Discard symbols with curved and straight segments

Discard symbols with curved and straight segments
is before or after (can't tell)
Remove the alphabet's twentieth letter

Alphabetize
is before or after (can't tell)
Remove vowels

Remove characters that rhyme with the word key
is before or after
Remove vowels

Remove the alphabet's twentieth letter
is before
Swap each pair of letters
is before
Keep just the first occurrences
is before
Reverse the string
is before
Expunge characters at prime indices
Is before
Collapse doubled letters
Is before
Remove characters that rhyme with the word key

[gftt]

OK, to summarize for future use:

The mirrors in order are represented by letters

H K E C G W
I U T S R A
P N B V D O

[gftt]

Re: order of operations, isn't it always just that the instruction given by the string is the one applied first?

That would give us a circular order. Then figure out where to start and... apply to the numbers when written out in words? Hmm.

[novice]