Codes and Ciphers - February 2012, Stage 1&2

We're celebrating the centenary of Turing's birth with lots of engaging tasks on codes and ciphers, devised with the help of James Grime of the Enigma project. We hope they stimulate interest in this intriguing field.

Problems

Why not send us your solutions?

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What Was in the Box?

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

This big box adds something to any number that goes into it. If you know the numbers that come out, what addition might be going on in the box?

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What's Happening?

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Shapes are added to other shapes. Can you see what is happening? What is the rule?

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What's in a Name?

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Here's a very elementary code that requires young children to read a table, and look for similarities and differences.

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Unlocking the Case

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

A case is found with a combination lock. There is one clue about the number needed to open the case. Can you find the number and open the case?

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It's a Scrabble

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Letters have different values in Scrabble - how are they decided upon? And would the values be the same for other languages?

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Some Secret Codes

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Can you follow the rule to decode the messages?

Elsewhere...