haas/spring2026/common/ntr0.md
... ...
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
1
-# PROJECT: GETTING STARTED, PART ONE (ntr0)
2
-
3
-## OBJECTIVE
4
-
5
-To get started in your journey in the course this semester
6
-
7
-## TASK
8
-
9
-By the deadline, please do the following:
10
-
11
- * sign onto the class Discord server with your preferred account
12
- * on Discord, identify yourself and indicate what class(es) you are in
13
- * provide the instructor (haas@corning-cc.edu) with your github username
14
- * provide the instructor (haas@corning-cc.edu) with your SSH public key
15
-
16
-NOTE: if desired, your SSH public key may be the same one you use to
17
-access github.
18
-
19
-Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent) for information on generating an SSH key.
20
-
21
-## SUBMISSION
22
-
23
-```
24
-26:ntr0:final tally of results (26/26)
25
-*:ntr0:signed into and are active on the class DISCORD [6/6]
26
-*:ntr0:identified self and state classes on DISCORD [7/7]
27
-*:ntr0:provided instructor preferred GITHUB USERNAME [6/6]
28
-*:ntr0:provided instructor preferred SSH PUBLIC KEY [7/7]
29
-```
30
-
31
-Additionally:
32
- * Solutions not abiding by spirit of project will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
33
- * Solutions not utilizing descriptive why and how comments will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
34
- * Solutions not utilizing indentation to promote scope and clarity will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
35
- * Solutions not organized and easy to read (assume a terminal at least 90 characters wide, 40 characters tall) are subject to a 25% overall deduction
haas/spring2026/common/ntr1.md
... ...
@@ -1,227 +0,0 @@
1
-# PROJECT: GETTING STARTED, PART TWO (ntr1)
2
-
3
-## OBJECTIVE
4
-
5
-To continue getting started in your journey in the course this semester.
6
-Upon completion of this project, you should have established access to
7
-the pertinent class resources we will be utilizing all semester.
8
-
9
-## TIME MANAGEMENT
10
-
11
-Please note that while this project has a DEADLINE, it is not intended
12
-for you to crank out all in one sitting, especially at the last minute.
13
-
14
-Some steps may require some interaction, or successful completion and
15
-processing of steps from other, previous projects in order to proceed.
16
-
17
-Be sure to give yourself adequate time and do not run out the clock
18
-thinking everything will be smooth sailing. Technical issues could crop
19
-up at any time.
20
-
21
-## TASK
22
-
23
-By the deadline, please do the following:
24
-
25
- * [READ THE MAGE BOOK](#READ-THE-MAGE-BOOK)
26
- * [LOG INTO LAB46 SHELL SYSTEM](#LOG-INTO-LAB46-SHELL-SYSTEM)
27
- * [CREATE PRIVATE REPOSITORY ON GITHUB](#CREATE-PRIVATE-REPOSITORY-ON-GITHUB)
28
- * [ESTABLISH README AND PROVIDE INFO](#ESTABLISH-README-AND-PROVIDE-INFO)
29
- * [INVITE INSTRUCTOR TO REPOSITORY](#INVITE-INSTRUCTOR-TO-REPOSITORY)
30
- * [CLONE CLASS REPOSITORY ONTO LAB46](#CLONE-CLASS-REPOSITORY-ONTO-LAB46)
31
- * [CONTRIBUTE CONTENT TO CLASS REPO](#CONTRIBUTE-CONTENT-TO-CLASS-REPO)
32
-
33
-Finally, there is information regarding the [SUBMISSION](#SUBMISSION) and
34
-evaluation of the project at the tail end of this document.
35
-
36
-### READ THE MAGE BOOK
37
-
38
-If you are unfamiliar with the `lab46` system, or UNIX systems in
39
-general, please take some time to read the "UNIX FOR THE BEGINNING MAGE"
40
-PDF that is available for download off the course homepage.
41
-
42
-Feel free to ask any questions regarding its content and concepts on the
43
-DISCORD.
44
-
45
-### LOG INTO LAB46 SHELL SYSTEM
46
-
47
-Using your SSH KEY, giving adequate time for the instructor to install it
48
-on your account, SSH or MOSH into your account on the `lab46` shell
49
-system.
50
-
51
-Any issues, please report them to the instructor on DISCORD.
52
-
53
-Your username on `lab46` is the same as your CCC username (minus the
54
-`@corning-cc.edu`). It will be **lowercase**. The system is **CaSe
55
-SeNsItIvE**, so assume lowercase unless otherwise indicated.
56
-
57
-The hostname for `lab46` is: `lab46.g7n.org`
58
-
59
-To SSH into `lab46` with your username: `ssh user@lab46.g7n.org`
60
-
61
-To MOSH into `lab46` with your username: `mosh user@lab46.g7n.org`
62
-
63
-What is the difference between **SSH** and **MOSH**? While they both
64
-provide a secure, encrypted connection between your local system and the
65
-remove server (`lab46`), **MOSH** is engineered to handle less reliable
66
-connections. If you find your **SSH** connections choppy and freezing up
67
-due to questionable internet, consider trying out **MOSH**, which may
68
-make your connection experience more tolerable.
69
-
70
-NOTE: while most modern systems will have an SSH CLIENT installed, you
71
-are not guaranteed to have a MOSH CLIENT installed. Feel free to install
72
-one if you wish.
73
-
74
-### CREATE PRIVATE REPOSITORY ON GITHUB
75
-
76
-On GITHUB, under the account your provided to the instructor, create a
77
-new **private** repository by the name of the current SEMESTER.
78
-
79
-Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/creating-a-new-repository) for information on creating a new repository on github.
80
-
81
-NOTE: the suggested name for your repository should be the name of the
82
-current SEMESTER. For example, if the semester is `spring2026`, that
83
-would be an ideal name for your new repository.
84
-
85
-If you are taking multiple classes by the same instructor, you will be
86
-using this same repository for those other classes.
87
-
88
-It is suggested you create subdirectories at the base level of this
89
-repository, one for each class you are taking. You may name them after
90
-the course DESIGs to facilitate navigation.
91
-
92
-| DESIG | COURSE |
93
-| --------- | -------------------------------- |
94
-| `cprog` | CSCS1320 C/C++ Programming |
95
-| `unix` | CSCS1730 UNIX/Linux Fundamentals |
96
-| `comporg` | CSCS2650 Computer Organization |
97
-| `sysprog` | CSCS2730 System Programming |
98
-
99
-You can use the `mkdir` command to create new directories. And use the
100
-`ls` command to list them.
101
-
102
-To reduce confusion, please place all content that may be evaluated in
103
-the default **main** branch of your repository.
104
-
105
-### ESTABLISH README AND PROVIDE INFO
106
-
107
-In your newly created repository on GITHUB, create a `README.md` file and
108
-in it, state the purpose of the repository. Feel free to document
109
-additional information pertinent for better understanding or navigating
110
-the repository.
111
-
112
-Also in your `README.md`, include an `ABOUT ME` type of section that
113
-provides at least the following information:
114
-
115
- * name or preferred nickname
116
- * program of study you are matriculated in at CCC (CS, Cyber, IT, etc.)
117
- * any other information you'd like to share (preferred email, etc.)
118
-
119
-An example `README.md` might contain (replace `SEMESTER` with the actual
120
-semester, `DESIG#` with specific course DESIG):
121
-
122
-```
123
-# SEMESTER repository for coursework at SUNY CCC
124
-
125
-This is a repository for the SEMESTER semester, hosting individual
126
-coursework for my various courses.
127
-
128
-Content is categorized by course DESIG, further arranged by individual
129
-project and exploration name.
130
-
131
-## ABOUT ME
132
-
133
-Hello, I am NAME. I am a student enrolled in the PROGRAM program at SUNY
134
-Corning Community College.
135
-
136
-Include any preferred nicknames or other pertinent information you'd like
137
-to share.
138
-
139
-## DESIG1
140
-
141
-This is where content generated during my explorations of DESIG1 will be stored.
142
-
143
-## DESIG2
144
-
145
-This is where content generated during my explorations of DESIG2 will be stored.
146
-
147
-```
148
-
149
-Be sure to **add**, **commit**, and **push** this to your repository. And
150
-synchronize any of your clones of this repository by doing a **pull**.
151
-
152
-### INVITE INSTRUCTOR TO REPOSITORY
153
-
154
-On GITHUB, invite the instructor to be a contributor to this private
155
-repo.
156
-
157
-Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/repository-access-and-collaboration/inviting-collaborators-to-a-personal-repository) for information on inviting collaborators to a repository on GITHUB.
158
-
159
-If you'd like them to potentially offer assistance, you can give your
160
-instructor read/write access. But at a minimum, they must be able to
161
-CLONE and READ the repository.
162
-
163
-The instructor's GITHUB account is: `wedge1020`
164
-
165
-### CLONE CLASS REPOSITORY ONTO LAB46
166
-
167
-A GITHUB repository has been created for use in collaborative class
168
-activities (specific to the class). Please clone it onto `lab46` and your
169
-various work systems.
170
-
171
-For `lab46`, please clone it under your `~/src/` directory in the base of
172
-your home directory.
173
-
174
-You are free to rename the directory the cloned repository resides in.
175
-
176
-You are free to clone it on your other development systems as desired, to
177
-facilitate your workflow.
178
-
179
-Since you will be a contributor to the repository, expect an invitation
180
-to join the repository once the instructor has successfully received and
181
-processed your GITHUB username, and you've installed your SSH PUBLIC KEY
182
-into your GITHUB account.
183
-
184
-As invitations last for around 7 days, please don't delay in responding
185
-(in the affirmative) to joining the repository.
186
-
187
-### CONTRIBUTE CONTENT TO CLASS REPO
188
-
189
-The class repository will be used for various collaborative class
190
-activities, potentially involving:
191
-
192
- * recording, organizing, presenting of class notes
193
- * performing some prescribed documentation activity
194
- * working on a collaborative class project
195
-
196
-The aim is for your regular (weekly) interaction in this repository to
197
-(in part), count towards the JOURNAL component of your grade.
198
-
199
-A suggested `ntr1`-level contribution would be contributing to the course
200
-notes: ensure it contains the relevant information for getting started,
201
-as experienced across both `ntr0` and `ntr1`, along with any additional
202
-informational tidbits you've encountered/discovered.
203
-
204
-We may want to have a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS section as well, where
205
-class members can pose questions, to have others respond to them.
206
-
207
-## SUBMISSION
208
-
209
-Once again, no manual submission is needed: evaluation is able to be
210
-performed if you have successfully completed the needed steps described
211
-above.
212
-
213
-```
214
-52:ntr1:final tally of results (52/52)
215
-*:ntr1:SSH or MOSH login into lab46 with your SSH KEY [13/13]
216
-*:ntr1:created private SEMESTER repository on GITHUB [6/6]
217
-*:ntr1:establish README and provide requested info [7/7]
218
-*:ntr1:invited instructor to your private SEMESTER repo [13/13]
219
-*:ntr1:cloned class repository from GITHUB on lab46 [6/6]
220
-*:ntr1:contribute content to class repository [7/7]
221
-```
222
-
223
-Additionally:
224
- * Solutions not abiding by spirit of project will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
225
- * Solutions not utilizing descriptive why and how comments will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
226
- * Solutions not utilizing indentation to promote scope and clarity will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
227
- * Solutions not organized and easy to read (assume a terminal at least 90 characters wide, 40 characters tall) are subject to a 25% overall deduction
haas/spring2026/common/pctX.md
... ...
@@ -1,1755 +0,0 @@
1
-# PROJECT: PRACTICING CRITICAL THINKING (pctX)
2
-
3
-## OBJECTIVE
4
-
5
-To cultivate your problem solving, critical thinking, analytical, and
6
-observation skills.
7
-
8
-The aim here is on observation, analysis, and documentation. You are
9
-solving and documenting a problem by hand, thinking your way through to
10
-solution, NOT copying something, NOR writing any sort of program.
11
-
12
-## BACKGROUND
13
-
14
-The true nature of problem solving frequently involves critical thinking,
15
-analytical, and observation skills. Where problems are not solved by
16
-memorizing some pre-defined set of answers and regurgitating them
17
-mindlessly, but in crafting an elaborate solution from subtle cues and
18
-tested, experimental realizations.
19
-
20
-This project puts you in contact with such endeavours. The better
21
-acquainted you become with these skills, the more adept you will become
22
-at a wide-array of tasks and activities.
23
-
24
-### INVESTIGATION/LOGIC METHODS
25
-
26
-These problems will make use of investigative and logical processes to
27
-allow us to experiment and ascertain the identity of the various letters.
28
-This is often done through:
29
-
30
- * observation
31
- * seeing patterns
32
- * analysis
33
- * investigation
34
- * [abduction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abductive_reasoning)
35
- * [induction](https://www.analyzemath.com/math_induction/mathematical_induction.html)
36
- * [deduction](http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.99/pax1.html)
37
-
38
-### MATH PREPARATION
39
-
40
-If you find yourself struggling with the concepts of the underlying math:
41
-
42
- * [Basic Math](https://www.ipracticemath.com/learn/basicmath)
43
- * [Long Division](https://www.mathsisfun.com/long_division.html)
44
-
45
-The pctX problems are just your standard “long division with
46
-remainder” style problems, only given to you worked out, with the
47
-numbers replaced with letters, so instead of going at it beginning to
48
-end, we investigate it end to start.
49
-
50
-### LONG DIVISION
51
-
52
-A letter division is a category of logic problem where you would take an
53
-ordinary math equation (in long form), and substitute all the numbers for
54
-letters, thereby in a direct sense masking the numeric values present
55
-that correctly enable the problem to work from start to completion. It is
56
-your task, through exploring, experimenting, and playing, to ascertain
57
-the numeric value of each letter (as many as 10, one for each numeric
58
-value 0-9).
59
-
60
-We will be focusing on long division, something you learned (and perhaps
61
-last experienced, before becoming mindlessly addicted to pressing buttons
62
-on a calculator), in grade school. It entails a whole number (integer)
63
-division, involving aspects addition (through borrowing), and subtraction
64
-(primarily) to arrive at a quotient and a remainder, and if applicable:
65
-multiplication.
66
-
67
-There is also a logical/relational aspect to these puzzles, which may
68
-well be less familiar territory to some. But so incredibly important when
69
-exploring a process and communicating such notions to the computer.
70
-
71
-Division is unique in that it produces two 'answers', each serving
72
-particular uses in various applications.
73
-
74
-Here is an example (using numbers):
75
-
76
-First up, we're going to divide 87654321 (the dividend) by 1224 (the
77
-divisor). Commonly, especially if punching into a calculator, we might
78
-express that equation as:
79
-
80
-```
81
-87654321/1224
82
-```
83
-
84
-Or in a language like C, assigning the quotient to the variable **x** (an
85
-**int**eger):
86
-
87
-```
88
- x = 87654321 / 1224;
89
-```
90
-
91
-But, we're not specifically interested in the 'answer' (quotient or
92
-remainder); we are interested in the PROCESS. You know, the stuff the
93
-calculator does for you, which in order to perform this project and
94
-better explore the aspects of critical thinking, we need to take and
95
-encounter every step of the way:
96
-
97
-```
98
- 71613
99
- +---------
100
-1224 | 87654321
101
- -8568
102
- ====
103
- 1974
104
- -1224
105
- ====
106
- 7503
107
- -7344
108
- ====
109
- 1592
110
- -1224
111
- ====
112
- 3681
113
- -3672
114
- ====
115
- 9
116
-```
117
-
118
-Here we obtain the results (focusing on the quotient up top; as the
119
-remainder quite literally is what remains once we're done- we're
120
-specifically NOT delving into decimal points, but instead doing integer
121
-division, which as previously stated has MANY important applications in
122
-computing) through a step by step process of seeing how many times our
123
-divisor (1224) best and in the smallest fashion fits into some current
124
-value of the dividend (or intermediate result thereof).
125
-
126
-For instance, seeking the smallest "best fit" of 1224 into 87654321, we
127
-find that 1224 fits best SEVEN times (1224 * 7 = 8568, which is the
128
-CLOSEST we can get to 8765... 1224 * 8 = 9792, which would be too big
129
-(and way too small for 87654). Clearly, we are seeking those values that
130
-best fit within a multiple of 0-9, staying away from double digits of
131
-multiplication (although, we COULD do it that way and still arrive at the
132
-same end result).
133
-
134
-So: 8765-8568 = 197.
135
-
136
-We have our first result, yet: there's still values in the dividend
137
-(87654321) remaining to process, specifically the 4321, so we take them
138
-one digit at a time.
139
-
140
-The next available, unprocessed digit in 4321 is '4', so we 'drop that
141
-down' and append it to our previous result (197), giving us: 1974.
142
-
143
-We now see how many times (via single digit multiplication), our divisor
144
-(1224) can fit into 1974. As it turns out, just once.
145
-
146
-So: 1974-1224 = 750.
147
-
148
-And we keep repeating the process until there are no more digits from the
149
-dividend to drop down; at which point, we are left with a remainder (in
150
-the above problem, the lone '9' at the very bottom; THAT is the
151
-remainder).
152
-
153
-Clearly it is important to have a handle on and understanding of the
154
-basic long division process before attempting a letter division problem.
155
-So, be sure to try your hand at a few practice problems before
156
-proceeding.
157
-
158
-## LETTER DIVISION: an example
159
-
160
-Following will be a sample letter division problem, and a documented
161
-solution of it, much as you will be doing for this project (and to be
162
-sure: the aim here is not merely to solve it, but to DOCUMENT HOW YOU
163
-SOLVED IT. You might want to keep notes as you go along to save you time
164
-and sanity).
165
-
166
-Here goes:
167
-
168
-```
169
- GLJK
170
- +---------
171
- KJKK | GLMBRVLR
172
- -VKOKL
173
- =====
174
- LJBGV
175
- -OKVKG
176
- =====
177
- JJGKL
178
- -LKBKV
179
- =====
180
- KVRMR
181
- -JKRKB
182
- =====
183
- VKMK
184
-
185
-letters: BGJKLMOPRV
186
-```
187
-
188
-First off, note how this is NO DIFFERENT from the numeric problem above:
189
-just instead of numbers, which we've associated some concepts with, here
190
-we have letters (each letter maps to a unique number, 0-9). The trick
191
-will be to figure out which letter maps to which number.
192
-
193
-So, let us begin.
194
-
195
-One aim is to obtain the key to the puzzle, the mapping of the letters to
196
-numbers, so I will typically set up an answer key as follows:
197
-
198
-```
199
-| 0 | |
200
-| 1 | |
201
-| 2 | |
202
-| 3 | |
203
-| 4 | |
204
-| 5 | |
205
-| 6 | |
206
-| 7 | |
207
-| 8 | |
208
-| 9 | |
209
-```
210
-
211
-Another thing I like to do is set up a more visual representation of what
212
-each letter COULD be. I do so in the following form (I call this a "Range
213
-Table"):
214
-
215
-```
216
-B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
217
-G = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
218
-J = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
219
-K = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
220
-L = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
221
-M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
222
-O = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
223
-P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
224
-R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
225
-V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
226
-```
227
-
228
-Then, as I figure things out (either what certain are, but mostly, which
229
-ones they are NOT), I can mark it up accordingly.
230
-
231
-Right from the start, we can already make some important connections;
232
-looking at EACH of the subtractions taking place, in the left-most
233
-position, we see an interesting phenomenon taking place- G-V=0, L-O=0,
234
-J-L=0, and K-J=0.
235
-
236
-Now, since EACH letter is its own unique numeric value, subtracting one
237
-letter from another on its own won't result in a value of 0, but being
238
-borrowed from will.
239
-
240
-That is: 7-6=1, but (7-1)-6=0. THAT is what is going on here.
241
-
242
-So what we can infer from this, is some very important connections:
243
-
244
- * V is one less than G (I'll write it as: V < G)
245
- * O is one less than L (O < L)
246
- * L is one less than J (L < J)
247
- * J is one less than K (J < K)
248
-
249
-Does that make sense? From looking at the puzzle, those four relations
250
-can be made.
251
-
252
-Now, FURTHERMORE, some of those connections are thereby connected. Look
253
-at the 'L' and 'J' connections:
254
-
255
- * O < L, but also: L < J
256
- * L < J, but also: J < K
257
-
258
-That implies a further connection, so we can chain them together:
259
-
260
- * O < L < J < K
261
-
262
-So from that initial observation and connection, we now have two
263
-disconnected relationships:
264
-
265
- * V < G
266
- * O < L < J < K
267
-
268
-From what we've done so far, we do not know where V,G fall in respect to
269
-O,L,J,K. They might be less than, OR greater than. We won't know without
270
-further information.
271
-
272
-Yet, even WITH this information, we can update our letter ranges:
273
-
274
- * since V is less than G, we know V can NOT be 9.
275
- * similarly, G can NOT be 0.
276
- * O cannot be 9, 8, 7, because we know O is 3 less than K. So even though we don't know what K actually is, because K COULD be 9, we know what O, L, and J can NOT be.
277
- * L cannot be 9 or 8
278
- * J cannot be 9
279
- * on the other side, K cannot be 0, 1, or 2
280
- * J cannot be 0 or 1
281
- * L cannot be 0.
282
-
283
-So, if we update our range chart accordingly:
284
-
285
-```
286
-B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 }
287
-G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
288
-J = { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, }
289
-K = { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
290
-L = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, }
291
-M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
292
-O = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, }
293
-P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
294
-R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
295
-V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
296
-```
297
-
298
-Moving on, dealing with details of discovering those one-off relations,
299
-that tells us something about the NEXT subtractions: that they borrow
300
-(which means they are LESS THAN the thing being subtracted from them):
301
-
302
- * L is less than K (which we actually know to be 2 less than K), so L - K needs to BORROW
303
- * J is less than K (which we know is 1 less than K), so J - K needs to BORROW
304
- * V is apparently also less than K (which we didn't previously know), so V - K needs to BORROW
305
- * now knowing than V << K, we can connect our other relational fragment in (I use the double '<<' to denote "less than" by an unknown amount, because while we know V is less than K, we don't know by how much).
306
-
307
-So: V < G << O < L < J < K
308
-
309
-This allows us some further whittling of our ranges:
310
-
311
- * V cannot be 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5
312
- * G cannot be 9, 8, 7, or 6
313
- * O cannot be 0, or 1
314
- * L cannot be 0, 1, or 2
315
- * J cannot be 0, 1, 2, or 3
316
- * K cannot be 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
317
-
318
-```
319
-B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 }
320
-G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
321
-J = { 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, }
322
-K = { 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
323
-L = { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, }
324
-M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
325
-O = { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, }
326
-P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
327
-R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
328
-V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
329
-```
330
-
331
-Already we can see that V and G are likely lower numbers, and O, L, J,
332
-and K are likely higher numbers.
333
-
334
-What else do we have? Let's keep going:
335
-
336
-We cannot instantly proceed to the next subtraction in as obvious a
337
-progression, as we'll need more information on the various letters
338
-involved.
339
-
340
-### Finding K (and J and L and O as well)
341
-
342
-However, looking at the puzzle, I'm interested in seeing if we can find
343
-any obvious examples of 0. You know, letter minus same letter sort of
344
-things. Because they will typically end up equalling 0 (or 9).
345
-
346
-Why 9? Because of a borrow!
347
-
348
-```
349
-((5-1)+10)-5 = (4+10)-5 = 14 - 5 = 9
350
-```
351
-
352
-... that can be quite revealing too!
353
-
354
-And it would appear we have one wonderful candidate in the bottom-most
355
-subtraction:
356
-
357
-```
358
- KVRMR
359
- -JKRKB
360
- =====
361
- VKMK
362
-```
363
-
364
-Lookie there: R-R = K.
365
-
366
-Usually, that would result in a 0. BUT, we also know that K can NOT be 0
367
-(looking at our range table above).
368
-
369
-So, that means it is being borrowed from, and it itself has to borrow, so
370
-we now also know that M is less than K: M << K
371
-
372
-And, as indicated above:
373
-
374
-```
375
-((R-1)+10)-R = 9!
376
-```
377
-
378
-We now know that K = 9!
379
-
380
-That suddenly reveals a whole lot to us, due to our relational chains
381
-we've built. Let's update:
382
-
383
-```
384
-| 0 | |
385
-| 1 | |
386
-| 2 | |
387
-| 3 | |
388
-| 4 | |
389
-| 5 | |
390
-| 6 | O |
391
-| 7 | L |
392
-| 8 | J |
393
-| 9 | K |
394
-```
395
-
396
-Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
397
-
398
-```
399
-B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
400
-G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
401
-J = { 8 }
402
-K = { 9 }
403
-L = { 7 }
404
-M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
405
-O = { 6 }
406
-P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
407
-R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
408
-V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
409
-```
410
-
411
-And, our relational chains:
412
-
413
- * V < G << O < L < J < K
414
- * M << O < L < J < K
415
-
416
-Because we don't yet know any relation of M compared to V or G, we have
417
-to keep them separate for now.
418
-
419
-We also have a second disqualifier for K being 0... the ones place
420
-subtraction in that bottom-most subtraction:
421
-
422
-```
423
-R - B = K
424
-```
425
-
426
-There's nothing further to the right that could borrow from this problem,
427
-so it can only exist in two states:
428
-
429
- * R is greater than B
430
- * R is less than B
431
-
432
-Since we know that K is 9, there's NO OTHER pair of single digit numbers
433
-we can subtract to get 9, which tells us that:
434
-
435
- * R is less than B (R << B)
436
-
437
-Currently both R and B can be 0-5 (although now, B is 1-5, and R is 0-4).
438
-We'd need to find a combination where (R+10)-B is 9:
439
-
440
-```
441
-| R: 0 | R: 1 | R: 2 | R: 3 | R: 4 |
442
-| (0+10) | (1+10) | (2+10) | (3+10) | (4+10) |
443
-| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
444
-```
445
-
446
-And from that, we're subtracting B, which is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The answer
447
-has to be 9.
448
-
449
-So:
450
-
451
-10-1=9, 11-2=9, 12-3=9, 13-4=9, and 14-5=9
452
-
453
-Hey, look at that... B is one greater than R (not just R << B, BUT: R <
454
-B)
455
-
456
-Our relational chains:
457
-
458
- * V < G << O < L < J < K
459
- * M << O < L < J < K
460
- * R < B << O < L < J < K
461
-
462
-And our range table:
463
-
464
-```
465
-B = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
466
-G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
467
-J = { 8 }
468
-K = { 9 }
469
-L = { 7 }
470
-M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
471
-O = { 6 }
472
-P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
473
-R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
474
-V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
475
-```
476
-
477
-If you look, the only letter we've not yet directly interacted with yet
478
-is 'P', although we already know enough about it (that it is 0-5, less
479
-than O, L, J, and K). And if you look closely, you'll notice that 'P'
480
-isn't even present in the letter division problem! So its identity will
481
-rely entirely on the proving of the other values.
482
-
483
-Let's continue on:
484
-
485
-M-K=M, BECAUSE we know M << K, AND BECAUSE we know the subtraction to the
486
-right is borrowing from it (because R < B), we have something like this:
487
-(M-1+10)-K=M
488
-
489
-Can't really do much more with it at this point, but it is important to
490
-know to help us identify the borrows needing to happen.
491
-
492
-### Finding our zero value (R and B)
493
-
494
-Why don't we go ahead and find 0? If you look in the subtraction above
495
-the bottom one, we have another "letter minus same letter" scenario, and
496
-it doesn't equal K!
497
-
498
-```
499
- JJGKL
500
- -LKBKV
501
- =====
502
- KVRM
503
-```
504
-
505
-We KNOW that V << L, so no borrow is happening there.
506
-
507
-Therefore, K-K, or 9-9, equals 0. So R is 0!
508
-
509
-... and B is 1! Because of our identified relationship.
510
-
511
-Updating things!
512
-
513
-```
514
-| 0 | R |
515
-| 1 | B |
516
-| 2 | |
517
-| 3 | |
518
-| 4 | |
519
-| 5 | |
520
-| 6 | O |
521
-| 7 | L |
522
-| 8 | J |
523
-| 9 | K |
524
-```
525
-
526
-Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
527
-
528
-```
529
-B = { 1 }
530
-G = { 3, 4, 5, }
531
-J = { 8 }
532
-K = { 9 }
533
-L = { 7 }
534
-M = { 2, 3, 4, 5, }
535
-O = { 6 }
536
-P = { 2, 3, 4, 5, }
537
-R = { 0 }
538
-V = { 2, 3, 4, }
539
-```
540
-
541
-NOTE: G is NOT 2, because G is greater than V (one greater, in fact), so
542
-we can similarly whittle that off.
543
-
544
-Relational chains can look as follows now:
545
-
546
- * R < B << V < G << O < L < J < K
547
- * R < B << M << O < L < J < K
548
- * R < B << P << O < L < J < K
549
-
550
-Basically just down to V, G, P, and M.
551
-
552
-### Finding V and G
553
-
554
-And I think we have the means to find V: notice the second to last
555
-subtraction, the "LKBKV". You know where we get that from? Multiplying
556
-the divisor (KJKK) by J (since it is the third subtraction taking place).
557
-
558
-We KNOW the numeric values of K and J, in fact we know the values of L,
559
-K, and B. The only thing we don't know is 'V', and since V is in the
560
-one's place, that makes things super easy for us.
561
-
562
-KJKK = 9899
563
-J = 8
564
-
565
-So: 9899 x 8 = 79192 = LKBKV!
566
-
567
-V is 2!
568
-
569
-Which means, because V < G, that G is 3!
570
-
571
-Updating our records:
572
-
573
-```
574
-| 0 | R |
575
-| 1 | B |
576
-| 2 | V |
577
-| 3 | G |
578
-| 4 | |
579
-| 5 | |
580
-| 6 | O |
581
-| 7 | L |
582
-| 8 | J |
583
-| 9 | K |
584
-```
585
-
586
-Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
587
-
588
-```
589
-B = { 1 }
590
-G = { 3 }
591
-J = { 8 }
592
-K = { 9 }
593
-L = { 7 }
594
-M = { 4, 5, }
595
-O = { 6 }
596
-P = { 4, 5, }
597
-R = { 0 }
598
-V = { 2 }
599
-```
600
-
601
-Relational chains can look as follows now:
602
-
603
- * R < B < V < G << M << O < L < J < K
604
- * R < B < V < G << P << O < L < J < K
605
-
606
-### Finding M and discovering P
607
-
608
-And then there were 2. We really just need to find M, or P, and we're
609
-done. And since there are no 'P' values in the puzzle, we need to target
610
-M. So let's look for some candidates:
611
-
612
-Hey, how about this:
613
-
614
-```
615
- JJGKL
616
- -LKBKV
617
- =====
618
- KVRM
619
-```
620
-
621
-One's place subtraction: L - V = M.
622
-
623
-We KNOW L (7) is greater than V (2), so no borrow is happening.
624
-
625
-L-V=M
626
-7-2=5
627
-
628
-M is 5. That means P is 4 by process of elimination.
629
-
630
-Puzzle completed:
631
-
632
-```
633
-| 0 | R |
634
-| 1 | B |
635
-| 2 | V |
636
-| 3 | G |
637
-| 4 | P |
638
-| 5 | M |
639
-| 6 | O |
640
-| 7 | L |
641
-| 8 | J |
642
-| 9 | K |
643
-```
644
-
645
-Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
646
-
647
-```
648
-B = { 1 }
649
-G = { 3 }
650
-J = { 8 }
651
-K = { 9 }
652
-L = { 7 }
653
-M = { 5 }
654
-O = { 6 }
655
-P = { 4 }
656
-R = { 0 }
657
-V = { 2 }
658
-```
659
-
660
-Relational chains can look as follows now:
661
-
662
- * R < B < V < G < P < M < O < L < J < K
663
-
664
-I wasn't able to show it as well in text on the wiki, but I also made a
665
-point to mark up each subtraction to show whether a borrow occurred or
666
-not:
667
-
668
-{{ :undefined:borrows.jpg?400 |}}
669
-
670
-To be sure, there are likely MANY, MANY ways to arrive at these
671
-conclusions. What is important is being observant, performing little
672
-experiments, seeing if there can be any insights to have, even if
673
-whittling away knowing what things can NOT be.
674
-
675
-Your performance on this project will be directly tied to being able to
676
-document your process through the puzzle; I have provided this writeup in
677
-order to show you an example of what that process may look like.
678
-
679
-## GETTING STARTED
680
-
681
-In the **pctX/** sub-directory of your class Public Directory, under a
682
-directory by the name of your username, you will find the following
683
-file(s):
684
-
685
- * **puzzle**
686
- * possibly also a file called **table**
687
- * if desired, you can use **worksheet** as a base for your solution file, or for generating text-based representations for using on discord when asking for help.
688
-
689
-Copy this file into your local project directory. For most classes, a
690
-**grabit** is available. For others, you'll have to manually copy the
691
-file on your own.
692
-
693
-There is also a **MANIFEST** file in the parent directory (the **pctX/**
694
-sub-directory), which will contain MD5sums of the various puzzle keys,
695
-provided to help you in verifying your puzzle key.
696
-
697
-For this project, you have to solve, DOCUMENT, AND VERIFY the provided
698
-puzzle in order to be eligible for full credit will be the one contained
699
-in the **puzzle** file.
700
-
701
-To obtain your puzzle, you can utilize the 'grabit' tool on lab46.
702
-
703
-## PROCESS
704
-
705
-Solve, document, and verify the puzzle.
706
-
707
-On your own.
708
-
709
-Seek to discover and explore and understand, NOT to just come up with an
710
-answer.
711
-
712
-It is recommended you do this by hand, ON PAPER. Furthermore, using graph
713
-paper may help in greatly reducing mistakes, as is using two different
714
-coloured writing implements (green, purple; or blue, black)... write up
715
-the puzzle in one colour, then use the other to mark up borrows and the
716
-like.
717
-
718
-## A NOTE ON NUMBER BASES
719
-
720
-Some of the puzzles you may be presented with may be in different number
721
-bases.
722
-
723
-You are likely acclimated to the **base 10** number system, where we have
724
-ten unique counting digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
725
-
726
-Different number bases simply have less or more digits.
727
-
728
-For example, base 8 and 9 both have fewer than ten counting values:
729
-
730
-| base | numbers |
731
-| ---- | ------------------------- |
732
-| 8 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
733
-| 9 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
734
-
735
-And then we have bases with MORE counting values than in base 10:
736
-
737
-| base | numbers |
738
-| ---- | ---------------------------------- |
739
-| 11 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A |
740
-| 12 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B |
741
-
742
-Notice the presence of 'A' and 'B'... these are not variables or
743
-algebraic values. These are bonafide **NUMBERS**, just like 1, 2, 3.
744
-
745
-Differences manifest once you exceed the maximum counting value for the base:
746
-
747
- * base 8: 7 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "eight")
748
- * base 9: 8 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "nine")
749
- * base 10: 9 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "ten")
750
- * base 11: A + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "eleven")
751
- * base 12: B + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "twelve")
752
-
753
-You likely have extensively memorized a table of single-digit base 10
754
-values, which at first glance makes this other base stuff unfamiliar. But
755
-it works according to the same properties as base 10 (just, different
756
-symbols representing the quantities involved).
757
-
758
-For any strategies involving the "9" value (in base 10), you will find
759
-that the same strategy works in other bases (so it isn't so much a "9
760
-trick" as it is a "highest counting digit trick").
761
-
762
-Similarly, any of the relational or logical tricks will "just work", it
763
-is only the appearance of mathematical end results that really differs.
764
-So, if you are adept at the logical/relational methods for investigating
765
-a puzzle, you could perhaps minimize the amount of base-related math you
766
-may have to do (certainly on lower difficulty levels of puzzle).
767
-
768
-## YOUR SUBMISSION
769
-
770
-### SUBMISSION FOR STANDARD-STYLE LETTER DIVISION
771
-
772
-If your puzzle was provided with a quotient and remainder (and contains
773
-no question marks in the puzzle proper), you have a regular puzzle.
774
-
775
-The files you will want to submit include:
776
-
777
- * your puzzle key, in a textfile called 'pctX.puzzle.key' containing ONLY the capital letters corresponding in order to the 0-9 values (and a trailing newline).
778
- * your documentation of your solving and exploration of the puzzle. If you did this on paper, will need to transcribe it out into clearly readable, organized, and followable text directions. The file, in text form, should be called 'pctX.puzzle.solution'. Images of your notes will NOT be accepted for submission.
779
- * your verification in a file called 'pctX.puzzle.verify': this is after you've completed the puzzle, and you are resolving parts of the puzzle to ensure that the letter to number mappings are valid.
780
-
781
-Your solution MUST be of a form so that, if given to another person, they
782
-can follow your steps and have an understanding of the decisions made.
783
-
784
-### SUBMISSION FOR SOLVE4-STYLE LETTER DIVISION
785
-
786
-The point behind a "solve4" puzzle is to also determine the `QUOTIENT` and `REMAINDER`, in addition to the key.
787
-
788
- * your puzzle key, in a textfile called 'pctX.puzzle.key' containing ONLY the capital letters corresponding in order to the 0-9 values (and a trailing newline).
789
- * your documentation of your solving and exploration of the puzzle. If you did this on paper, will need to transcribe it out into clearly readable, organized, and followable text directions. The file, in text form, should be called 'pctX.puzzle.solution'. Images of your notes will NOT be accepted for submission.
790
- * your quotient:remainder (in letterized/obfuscated form), in a text file called 'pctX.puzzle.verify'
791
-
792
-Your solution MUST be of a form so that, if given to another person, they
793
-can follow your steps and have an understanding of the decisions made to
794
-get them from start to solution.
795
-
796
-## PUZZLE KEY
797
-
798
-As indicated, you are to place the determined key to your puzzle in a
799
-regular text file called 'pctX.puzzle.key', and will contain ONLY the
800
-capital letters, in order from 0 to the highest counting symbol of the
801
-base, of your puzzle (and a trailing newline).
802
-
803
-For example, using the example puzzle above:
804
-
805
-| 0 | R |
806
-| 1 | B |
807
-| 2 | V |
808
-| 3 | G |
809
-| 4 | P |
810
-| 5 | M |
811
-| 6 | O |
812
-| 7 | L |
813
-| 8 | J |
814
-| 9 | K |
815
-
816
-We'll want to put them, in order, in our key file:
817
-
818
-```
819
-$ echo "RBVGPMOLJK" > pctX.puzzle.key
820
-```
821
-
822
-Want to know what a proper 'key' file should look like? This:
823
-
824
-```
825
-$ cat pctX.puzzle.key
826
-RBVGPMOLJK
827
-```
828
-
829
-JUST the letters (and a trailing newline).
830
-
831
-## PUZZLE SOLUTION
832
-
833
-As stated, a very large part of this project's evaluation will be based
834
-on your clear and detailed documentation of how you determined each
835
-letter's mapping in the solution key of your puzzle.
836
-
837
-Just providing the 'key' will not result in success.
838
-
839
-Your documentation should, while there may be supporting information,
840
-provide some identified path that showed the steps you went through to
841
-identify each letter, be it directly or indirectly.
842
-
843
-You are free to write out your solution with pen on paper (that is how I
844
-usually do these puzzles); but to submit, you MUST transcribe it to text
845
-and submit it in that format. Images will NOT be accepted. Do not look on
846
-this as a reason to avoid doing it by hand: the manual work of the
847
-process is inherently beneficial, you simply need to commit to doing it.
848
-
849
-The aim here is not to dump a bunch of data on me, but instead present me
850
-with connected and pertinent information that documents your process of
851
-progression through the puzzle from start to finish. This is in the same
852
-vein as programming in a language on a computer. A computer program is a
853
-detailed description of a process to solving some problem in a format the
854
-receiver can understand.
855
-
856
-## VERIFICATION
857
-
858
-Depending on the type of puzzle you have (regular or "solve for"
859
-variety), the contents of your verification file will differ.
860
-
861
-What is the difference between a regular puzzle and a solve4 puzzle?
862
-Basically:
863
-
864
- * a regular puzzle comes with quotient and remainder included in your puzzle
865
- * a solve4 puzzle omits the quotient and remainder, and instead replaces them with a series of question marks, indicating that as part of your task in solving the puzzle, you must also figure out the quotient and remainder (this is why the verify for solve4 puzzles is shorter and simpler: you've already done so much of the verification work in solving it).
866
-
867
-### REGULAR PUZZLE
868
-
869
-In this form, your 'pctX.puzzle.verify' file will be similar format to
870
-your writeup (a description of what aspects of the puzzle you are testing
871
-to ensure things work out).
872
-
873
-You are to manually verify your solution by taking the numeric identities
874
-of each letter, plugging them back into the original puzzle, solving it,
875
-and converting the obtained quotient and remainder back into letter form
876
-to compare with those in the puzzle provided to you. If they match, you
877
-have successfully solved the puzzle. If they do not match, some error
878
-exists that should be addressed and corrected.
879
-
880
-An example of a verification text can be found below.
881
-
882
-### EXAMPLE FOR REGULAR PUZZLE
883
-
884
-The best way to verify the puzzle with our key is to convert the dividend
885
-and divisor to its numeric equivalent, perform the division, and
886
-compare the resulting quotient and remainder against those found in the
887
-letterified puzzle:
888
-
889
- * divisor: KJKK --> 9899
890
- * dividend: GLMBRVLR --> 37510270
891
-
892
-And let's do some long division!
893
-
894
-```
895
- +---------
896
- 9899 | 37510270
897
-```
898
-
899
-9899 goes into 37510 three times:
900
-
901
-```
902
- 3
903
- +---------
904
- 9899 | 37510270
905
- -29697
906
- =====
907
- 78132
908
-```
909
-
910
-It might be convenient to have a quick factor reference for 9899 handy:
911
-
912
- * 9899 * 0 = 0
913
- * 9899 * 1 = 9899
914
- * 9899 * 2 = 19798
915
- * 9899 * 3 = 29697
916
- * 9899 * 4 = 39596
917
- * 9899 * 5 = 49495
918
- * 9899 * 6 = 59394
919
- * 9899 * 7 = 69293
920
- * 9899 * 8 = 79192
921
- * 9899 * 9 = 89091
922
-
923
-9899 fits into 78132 seven times (69293):
924
-
925
-```
926
- 37
927
- +---------
928
- 9899 | 37510270
929
- -29697
930
- =====
931
- 78132
932
- -69293
933
- =====
934
- 88397
935
-```
936
-
937
-Once again, looking at the list of factors, we see that the best fit for 9899 into 88397 is 79192 (a factor of 8):
938
-
939
-```
940
- 378
941
- +---------
942
- 9899 | 37510270
943
- -29697
944
- =====
945
- 78132
946
- -69293
947
- =====
948
- 88397
949
- -79192
950
- =====
951
- 92050
952
-```
953
-
954
-Finally, a factor of 9 (89091) fits in best:
955
-
956
-```
957
- 3789 <-- quotient
958
- +---------
959
- 9899 | 37510270
960
- -29697
961
- =====
962
- 78132
963
- -69293
964
- =====
965
- 88397
966
- -79192
967
- =====
968
- 92050
969
- -89091
970
- =====
971
- 2959 <-- remainder
972
-```
973
-
974
-Converting our quotient and remainder back to letters:
975
-
976
- * quotient: 3789 --> GLJK
977
- * remainder: 2959 --> VKMK
978
-
979
-And comparing against the problem we were given:
980
-
981
- * quotient: GLJK <-> GLJK
982
- * remainder: VKMK <-> VKMK
983
-
984
-Success!
985
-
986
-## SOLVE4 PUZZLE
987
-
988
-The verification for these puzzles becomes a bit easier, as you are
989
-merely providing the quotient and remainder.
990
-
991
-Let's say the quotient was "BTXMK" and the remainder was "YYGMX"
992
-
993
-You'd prepare your 'pctX.puzzle.verify' file as follows:
994
-
995
-```
996
-$ echo "BTXMK:YYGMX" > pctX.puzzle.verify
997
-```
998
-
999
-Basically: quotient followed by remainder, separated by a colon, all on
1000
-the same line.
1001
-
1002
-NOTE: Do not include any leading zeroes.
1003
-
1004
-## WALKTHROUGH VIDEOS
1005
-
1006
-To further aid your letter division efforts, I have recorded some videos
1007
-showing my walkthrough of various letter division puzzles:
1008
-
1009
- * [another take on the puzzle presented on this page](https://youtu.be/8oCoGGspf70)
1010
- * [a base 8 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zoa6iymxpw)
1011
- * [a base 9 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zil4YjgC6bw)
1012
- * [a base 10 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6wv9zXlbJE)
1013
- * [a base 11 letter division puzzle](https://youtu.be/OHrLOVihi_4)
1014
-
1015
-## STRATEGIES
1016
-
1017
-### LEFT EDGE
1018
-
1019
-An advantage of the left-most values, is the top value is greater than
1020
-those beneath it (it doesn't need to borrow; indeed it CANNOT borrow,
1021
-without breaking math). Might be taken from, however...
1022
-
1023
-This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1024
-puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value) be present in more
1025
-than one place.
1026
-
1027
-For example:
1028
-
1029
-```
1030
- WXXY
1031
- -PQRT
1032
- ====
1033
- GCBA
1034
-```
1035
-
1036
- * W-P=G
1037
- * P << W (P is somewhat less than W)
1038
- * G << W (G is somewhat less than W)
1039
-
1040
-NOTE: from this example alone, we do NOT know P's relationship to G.
1041
-
1042
-## DETERMINE BORROWS AND TAKES
1043
-
1044
-Like the range table and your chains of assertions gradually assembled
1045
-during puzzle solving, another activity you should undertake is the
1046
-determination of all the borrows/takes in the puzzle.
1047
-
1048
-And not just IF there is a borrow/take, but also if there isn't one.
1049
-
1050
-Many may remember the idea of borrows from math class, and are confused
1051
-at what a "take" is: this is just our attempt to connect one subtraction
1052
-into the tapestry of the overall problem.
1053
-
1054
-Take the following numeric example:
1055
-
1056
-```
1057
- 545
1058
--347
1059
- ===
1060
- 198
1061
-```
1062
-
1063
-Notice how, looking at the 5-7=8 subtraction (on the far right), we can
1064
-see that the 5 is somewhat less than 7 (and the 8), so that 5 would have
1065
-to borrow.
1066
-
1067
-Being all the way on the right, nothing is able to take from it, so that
1068
-5 is borrowing, but not being taken from.
1069
-
1070
-Onto the 4-4=9… because the 5 to its right is needing to borrow… what
1071
-is it borrowing from? The 4. So our 4 is being "taken from".
1072
-
1073
- * 4-1=3
1074
-
1075
-3 is less than 4 (And 9), so THAT now has to borrow.
1076
-
1077
-So the 4 is being taken from, and as a result, needs to borrow.
1078
-
1079
-Then proceeding left to the 5-3=1... being all the way on the left,
1080
-it can’t borrow from anything, and the universe would explode
1081
-mathematically if the leftmost, top value in a long division term were
1082
-less than what was being subtracted from it. So, the 5 does not have to
1083
-borrow. But we know from the 4-4=9 subtraction, that the 4 borrows, and
1084
-it is borrowing from the 5
1085
-
1086
-So: that left-most 5 is not borrowing, but it IS being taken from.
1087
-
1088
-The state of the borrows/takes greatly enhances our ability to scoop up
1089
-additional clues we can turn into assertions.
1090
-
1091
-## TOP IS KNOWN GREATER THAN
1092
-
1093
-When we know the top letter is greater than at least one of the other two
1094
-numbers in the subtraction, turns out it is also greater than the other:
1095
-
1096
-```
1097
- 8 7 6 5
1098
--5 -1 -4 -2
1099
-== == == ==
1100
- 3 6 2 3
1101
-```
1102
-
1103
-This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1104
-puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value and other letter) be
1105
-present in more than one place.
1106
-
1107
-When the top is known to be greater than the or a number beneath, it
1108
-signifies that NO BORROW is happening.
1109
-
1110
-NOTE: this doesn't tell us anything about the TAKE situation.
1111
-
1112
-## TOP IS KNOWN LESS THAN
1113
-
1114
-When we know the top letter is less than at least one of the other two
1115
-numbers in the subtraction, turns out it is also less than the other:
1116
-
1117
-```
1118
-13 12 16 11
1119
--5 -3 -7 -4
1120
-== == == ==
1121
- 8 9 9 7
1122
-```
1123
-
1124
-This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1125
-puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value and other letter) be
1126
-present in more than one place.
1127
-
1128
-When the top is known to be less than the or a number beneath, it
1129
-signifies that a BORROW is happening.
1130
-
1131
-NOTE: this doesn't tell us anything about the TAKE situation.
1132
-
1133
-## RIGHT EDGE
1134
-
1135
-We know from right-most values, that they are NOT being taken from.
1136
-
1137
-This can also help establish the state of takes elsewhere in the puzzle,
1138
-should an identical subtraction be present in more than one place.
1139
-
1140
-## LOOK FOR ZERO AND GREATEST SYMBOL CANDIDATES
1141
-
1142
-There are two common give-away cases for finding the two extreme digits
1143
-(least/lowest/zero and greatest/highest) in a puzzle, regardless of base:
1144
-
1145
-```
1146
- X
1147
- -X
1148
- =
1149
- Y
1150
-```
1151
-
1152
-and:
1153
-
1154
-```
1155
- X
1156
- -Y
1157
- =
1158
- X
1159
-```
1160
-
1161
-We don't, simply from this display, know if it is 0 or if it is the
1162
-greatest digit. Merely that it can only be 0 or the greatest digit.
1163
-
1164
-Determining the identity of the letter (Y in these examples) depends on
1165
-the state of borrow/takings for the subtraction.
1166
-
1167
-There really are only TWO possibilities here:
1168
-
1169
- * no borrow AND no take (Y would be 0)
1170
- * borrow AND take (Y would be the greatest digit)
1171
-
1172
-The other two scenarios are mathematically impossible given this
1173
-particular pattern (again, ONLY for 0, greatest digit scenario).
1174
-
1175
-## PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
1176
-
1177
-A tactic that sees use in almost any puzzle is that of elimination: or
1178
-using logic to negate possibilities.
1179
-
1180
-For example:
1181
-
1182
-```
1183
- ABCD
1184
--EFGH
1185
- ====
1186
- JKLM
1187
-```
1188
-
1189
-Looking at that right-most subtraction (D-H=M), even if we know NOTHING
1190
-about D, H, or M, we can, however, ascertain that:
1191
-
1192
- * H is NOT zero
1193
- * M is NOT zero
1194
-
1195
-Because none of the zero patterns are manifesting (if we had D-H=D, for
1196
-instance, in that right-most position, we'd KNOW that H was zero), we can
1197
-categorically eliminate zero as a possibility for the two lower letters
1198
-in this subtraction (NOTE: D very well COULD BE zero, but we can't do
1199
-anything about determining yet solely based on this observation).
1200
-
1201
-This strategy would work in other places, too, if sufficient
1202
-borrows/takes were known.
1203
-
1204
-For example, in A-E=J, if we had established that A was NOT being taken
1205
-from, we could apply this same elimination to E and J (not zero).
1206
-
1207
-Or B-F=K, or C-G=L, if we knew we weren't being taken from. But if we
1208
-don't know the take situation, we cannot yet act on this.
1209
-
1210
-## DOUBLING
1211
-
1212
-Sometimes we will be treated to things like:
1213
-
1214
-```
1215
- T
1216
- -P
1217
- =
1218
- P
1219
-```
1220
-
1221
-Which implies T is double the value of P.
1222
-
1223
-This isn't the whole story, as we REALLY need to know the borrow/take
1224
-situation to do anything with this information.
1225
-
1226
-For example, for an even base: if T is being TAKEN FROM, we know that T
1227
-is odd. Likewise, if it is NOT being taken from, T is even.
1228
-
1229
-Also:
1230
-
1231
- * If T does NOT borrow, P+P is some value less than 10.
1232
- * If T DOES borrow, P+P is some value greater than or equal to 10.
1233
-
1234
-In either case of T being odd or even, we can eliminate half the values
1235
-(if T is even, it cannot be any odd values, not in an even base).
1236
-
1237
-## NEXT-TO HINTS
1238
-
1239
-Sometimes you may be treated to left-most clues like this:
1240
-
1241
-```
1242
- JKLM
1243
- -FGHH
1244
- ====
1245
- TWX
1246
-```
1247
-
1248
-Notice how J-F equals nothing? That tells us the following things:
1249
-
1250
- * F is exactly one value less than J (written: F < J)
1251
- * K is LESS THAN G and T (K has to borrow to make J-F=0 versus the 1 it would otherwise be).
1252
-
1253
-## MORE NEXT-TO HINTS
1254
-
1255
-What really pays off is when we have a scenario like this:
1256
-
1257
-```
1258
- JKLJM
1259
- -FGHFH
1260
- =====
1261
- TWUX
1262
-```
1263
-
1264
-See that nestled J-F=U there? Because we had the left-most J-F=NOTHING
1265
-establishing our assertion that F < J, yet NOT knowing the state of being
1266
-taken from (ie not knowing anything about M against H or X):
1267
-
1268
- * U is EITHER 0 or 1, to be immediately determined once we know the state of M against H or X (the subtraction immediately to the right).
1269
-
1270
-## SUBTRACT BY GREATEST DIGIT, GET INCREMENT
1271
-
1272
-If we have identified the greatest value, and we see it elsewhere in the
1273
-puzzle, NOT as the top value, but as the value being subtracted, or the
1274
-result, and we are not being taken from, we know some things.
1275
-
1276
-For example, let's say C is the greatest digit (9 in base 10), and E <<
1277
-T:
1278
-
1279
-```
1280
- PHANT
1281
- - OMME
1282
- =====
1283
- NACE
1284
-```
1285
-
1286
-See the N-M=C ?
1287
-
1288
-Because we know C is 9:
1289
-
1290
- * N << C (everything not C is less than C (9))
1291
- * therefore also: N << M
1292
-
1293
-Watch what happens when we plug in values:
1294
-
1295
- * N = 1: 11-9=2
1296
- * N = 2: 12-9=3
1297
- * N = 3: 13-9=4
1298
- * N = 4: 14-9=5
1299
- * ... through N=7
1300
-
1301
-Notice how when N is 1, M is 2... 2, 3... 3, 4... ?
1302
-
1303
-In this scenario: N is EXACTLY ONE LESS than M: N < M.
1304
-
1305
-But only when we KNOW what the greatest digit in a base is and know the
1306
-state of whether or not we are being taken from.
1307
-
1308
-## SUBTRACT BY KNOWN OFFSET FROM GREATEST DIGIT, GET OFFSET INCREMENT
1309
-
1310
-Related to the above strategy, on "Subtract by greatest digit, get
1311
-increment", it actually applies to more than just the greatest digit: so
1312
-long as you know its distance from the greatest digit, and the take
1313
-situation of the subtraction, you can derive the offset of increment.
1314
-
1315
-A chart of the first few (I typically don't go any further than this out
1316
-of practicality, although the pattern persists beyond this point of
1317
-reporting):
1318
-
1319
-| digit | being taken from | not being taken from |
1320
-| ---------- | ---------------- | -------------------- |
1321
-| greatest | 0 | 1 |
1322
-| greatest-1 | 1 | 2 |
1323
-| greatest-2 | 2 | 3 |
1324
-
1325
-For example, let's say R is the second greatest digit (A in base 12), and
1326
-let's say we know that C << R:
1327
-
1328
-```
1329
- SECOND
1330
- - GRADE
1331
- ======
1332
- MATHS
1333
-```
1334
-
1335
-See the C-R=A? With R being the known second greatest digit, and knowing
1336
-that C is somewhat less than R, that means C is borrowing.
1337
-
1338
-Looking at the table, depending on the take situation, we can determine
1339
-that C is exactly 1 or 2 values less than A, potentially offing up nice
1340
-reduction of possibilities for both C and A.
1341
-
1342
-Should it turn out C is being taken from, then C is exactly 1 less than
1343
-A.
1344
-
1345
-If C is not being taken from, then C is exactly 2 less than A.
1346
-
1347
-## DIVISOR/MULTIPLICATION RELATIONS
1348
-
1349
-Since letter divisions are but a long division, if we were to look at one
1350
-(base 10) as purely numbers:
1351
-
1352
-```
1353
- 2565
1354
- +---------
1355
-27846 | 71447493
1356
- -55692
1357
- =====
1358
- 157554
1359
- -139230
1360
- ======
1361
- 183249
1362
- -167076
1363
- ======
1364
- 161733
1365
- -139230
1366
- ======
1367
- 22503
1368
-```
1369
-
1370
-Do you see that the divisor (27846) x 2 = 55692, divisor x 5 = 139230,
1371
-and divisor x 6 = 167076?
1372
-
1373
-Pay specific attention to the subtrahend of 55692. Notice how it is
1374
-exactly the same length in digits as the divisor (5 digits). This allows
1375
-us to make an important comparison:
1376
-
1377
- * divisor (27846) x 1 = the divisor itself (27846).
1378
- * any similarly-lengthed subtrahend as the divisor is NOT less than the divisor.
1379
- * so we can make a comparison between the first digits of the divisor and that of the subtrahend.
1380
-
1381
-In a fully enlettered puzzle:
1382
-
1383
-```
1384
- TECE
1385
- +---------
1386
-TMGNC | MSNNMNXL
1387
- -EECXT
1388
- =====
1389
- SEMEEN
1390
- -SLXTLR
1391
- ======
1392
- SGLTNX
1393
- -SCMRMC
1394
- ======
1395
- SCSMLL
1396
- -SLXTLR
1397
- ======
1398
- TTERL
1399
-```
1400
-
1401
-In the case of TMGNC (the divisor) and EECXT (that first subtrahend),
1402
-specifically their first letters (T and E), because they are both the
1403
-same length (5 letters), we can establish the following relation:
1404
-
1405
- * T << E (T is somewhat less than E)
1406
- * by extension, the minuend the subtrahend is being subtracted from, has to be at least the same size or larger than the subtrahend. So, similarly, in TMGNC (the divisor) and MSNNM (5 letters), T << M (T is somewhat less than M.
1407
-
1408
-This strategy, making use of multiplication, can only be used on puzzles
1409
-where multiplication has not been restricted.
1410
-
1411
-## INVERTED SUBTRACTION PAIRS
1412
-
1413
-Given the following puzzle:
1414
-
1415
-```
1416
- SETX
1417
- +---------
1418
-EXEXT | XSSEMLMS
1419
- -EXEXT
1420
- =====
1421
- LSECEL
1422
- -TXMXCR
1423
- ======
1424
- SMCXLM
1425
- -SSXSGN
1426
- ======
1427
- EMMELS
1428
- -ELCLTG
1429
- ======
1430
- NSTRL
1431
-
1432
-base: 10
1433
-```
1434
-
1435
-Have you ever noticed patterns like the following:
1436
-
1437
- * M-T=E (1st row, right-most)
1438
- * E-M=M (2nd row, 3rd from left)
1439
-
1440
-or:
1441
-
1442
- * X-E=L (1st row, left-most)
1443
- * E-X=C (1st row, 2nd from right)
1444
-
1445
-Basically, two different subtractions that match the following pattern:
1446
-
1447
- * top letter in one is a middle/bottom letter in the other
1448
- * middle/bottom letter in the first is the top in the other
1449
-
1450
-... as is the case in those two identified examples: M (top), E (bottom)
1451
-and E(top), M (middle/bottom)
1452
-
1453
-or: X (top), E (middle) and then E (top), X (middle).
1454
-
1455
-When you have scenarios such as this we can assume something about the
1456
-sum of the OTHER two letters involved:
1457
-
1458
- * (E,X) C + L
1459
- * (E,M) M + T
1460
-
1461
-There are actually three possible sums, all dependent upon the state of
1462
-the takes:
1463
-
1464
-| no take from either | take from one but not the other | take from both |
1465
-| ------------------- | ------------------------------- | -------------- |
1466
-| the base | the base - 1 | the base - 2 |
1467
-
1468
-So, in the case of M-T=E and E-M=M, because M-T=E is on the right edge,
1469
-we know it cannot be taken from, so then we only need to determine the
1470
-take situation for E-M=M. Therefore, there are TWO potential answers for
1471
-M+T:
1472
-
1473
- * (no takes) M + T = 10
1474
- * (one take) M + T = 9
1475
-
1476
-... since the base of the puzzle is 10, 10 is the sum when there are no
1477
-takes involved on the two subtractions. For other bases, it is still "one
1478
-zero", but obviously the quantity of that base.
1479
-
1480
-The other identified pair in this example; the case of X-E=L and E-X=C,
1481
-both are within a line, so no immediate clues as to certain states on
1482
-take/no take. Therefore:
1483
-
1484
- * (no takes) C + L = 10
1485
- * (one take) C + L = 9
1486
- * (two takes) C + L = 8
1487
-
1488
-This tends to be a nice way of accruing additional clues not revealed
1489
-in more common methods, increasing the chances of increasing letter
1490
-connectivity and deriving an eventual solution.
1491
-
1492
-## INVERTED SUBTRACTION RELATIONAL PAIRS
1493
-
1494
-Similar to the above strategy, what happens if you identify two
1495
-subtraction pairs, but instead of involving the same symbols, involves a
1496
-pair of symbols based on a known relation (off by one, in either
1497
-direction).
1498
-
1499
-The same core logic applies (factoring in the take situation on both).
1500
-
1501
-But we can also add additional influence based on the relation of the
1502
-symbols being modulated.
1503
-
1504
-For instance, if we were to have a known relation of `R < C`, and we had
1505
-the following:
1506
-
1507
-```
1508
- X C
1509
- -P -G
1510
- = =
1511
- R X
1512
-```
1513
-
1514
-Because we know R is one less than C, and the R is the one below the top,
1515
-with the C on the top, the value is INCREASED by 1.
1516
-
1517
-If instead we had:
1518
-
1519
-```
1520
- X R
1521
- -P -G
1522
- = =
1523
- C X
1524
-```
1525
-
1526
-Because we know R is one less than C, and the C is the one below the top,
1527
-with the R on top, the value is DECREASED by 1.
1528
-
1529
-So, rolling out with known borrow-takes:
1530
-
1531
-```
1532
- xXx >Cx because R < C, and the larger of the pair is on the top:
1533
- -P -G P + G = base - takes (no takes), PLUS 1
1534
- = =
1535
- R X
1536
-```
1537
-
1538
-```
1539
- xXx >Rx because R < C, and the smaller of the pair is on the top:
1540
- -P -G P + G = base - takes (no takes), MINUS 1
1541
- = =
1542
- C X
1543
-```
1544
-
1545
-## SINGLE-LETTER SUBTRAHEND DETERMINATION
1546
-
1547
-NOTE: Mostly useful for the "solve4" category of letter division puzzles
1548
-providing a conducive scenario to utilize this strategy.
1549
-
1550
-Let's look at the following puzzle (base 12):
1551
-
1552
-```
1553
- ????????
1554
- +---------
1555
-PTPXQ | NFNXHNXP
1556
- -PTPXQ
1557
- =====
1558
- EHFXEN
1559
- -EQETEF
1560
- ======
1561
- EXTXPX
1562
- - PTPXQ
1563
- ======
1564
- FNJHUP
1565
- -FGHJEP
1566
- ======
1567
- ??????
1568
-
1569
-base: 12
1570
-```
1571
-
1572
-With a current range of:
1573
-
1574
-```
1575
- E = { 1, }
1576
- F = { 2, }
1577
- G = { 4, A, }
1578
- H = { 8, }
1579
- J = { 3, }
1580
- N = { B }
1581
- P = { 9, }
1582
- Q = { 7, }
1583
- R = { 4, A, }
1584
- T = { 6, }
1585
- U = { 5, }
1586
- X = { 0, }
1587
-```
1588
-
1589
-As you can see, we are between G and R for the values of 4 and A. The
1590
-problem here is that R does not appear anywhere in the letter division,
1591
-meaning we have to determine G to determine R. There exists yet another
1592
-problem with G, it only appears as the last subtrahend before an unknown
1593
-remainder; we cannot determine it through natural puzzle-solving means.
1594
-
1595
-There are a few ways to go about this:
1596
-
1597
- * last subtrahend divided by divisor
1598
- * finding largest possible value (with factors of divisor) to subtract last minuend by
1599
- * use the multiplication table and manually carry out the chain of multiplications (propagating carries as generated), building the subtrahend one value at a time (until we reach the letter in question)
1600
-
1601
-Going with the first method is simple, although depending on the values
1602
-known may be impossible or not be as efficient as the second method. We
1603
-start by turning the divisor and last subtrahend into numbers:
1604
-
1605
- * PTPXQ = 96907
1606
- * FGHJEP = 2G8319
1607
-
1608
-Since we do not know G yet, we leave it as-is. Now we can substitute G as
1609
-both 4 and A and try dividing by the divisor to see if we get a whole
1610
-number or not:
1611
-
1612
- * 248319 / 96907 = 3 <- Is clearly correct, therefore G is equal to 4 and R is equal to A.
1613
- * 2A8319 / 96907 = 3.76424...
1614
-
1615
-We are done with the first method. Now let's try the second method, which
1616
-requires more work and is very similar, but may come in handy when
1617
-lacking some numbers. First let's start off by turning the divisor and
1618
-last minuend into numbers:
1619
-
1620
- * PTPXQ = 96907
1621
- * FNJHUP = 2B3859
1622
-
1623
-Now let's make a factor list for PTPXQ:
1624
-
1625
- * 96907 * 1 = 96907
1626
- * 96907 * 2 = 171612
1627
- * 96907 * 3 = 248319
1628
- * 96907 * 4 = 323024
1629
- * 96907 * 5 = 3B992B
1630
- * 96907 * 6 = 494636
1631
- * 96907 * 7 = 56B341
1632
- * 96907 * 8 = 646048
1633
- * 96907 * 9 = 720953
1634
- * 96907 * A = 7B765A
1635
- * 96907 * B = 892365
1636
-
1637
-From this factor list we need to see the highest number we can subtract
1638
-our last minuend (FNJHUP) by. Clearly 248319 from that group is smaller
1639
-than FNJUP and is the highest possible number. So that is the last
1640
-subtrahend used to get the remainder meaning G is equal 4!
1641
-
1642
-If G is equal to 4 then R is equal to A.
1643
-
1644
-## CHECKING YOUR RESULTS
1645
-
1646
-While things like the solution must be qualitatively evaluated, there are
1647
-a number of simple checks that can be done (especially for your key and
1648
-verify files) to determine whether or not you are on the right path.
1649
-
1650
-On lab46, you can run the **pzlchk** tool in the directory where your
1651
-puzzle files reside, and it will perform a number of tests, reporting its
1652
-findings to you in color-coded fashion.
1653
-
1654
-To use it:
1655
-
1656
- * log into lab46
1657
- * change into the directory where your pctX.puzzle files are located (key, solution, verify)
1658
- * run the **pzlchk** tool with the appropriate arguments:
1659
- * first argument is your class DESIG
1660
- * second argument is your pctX project
1661
- * analyze the results:
1662
- * green and cyan indicates a level of acceptable status or success
1663
- * red indicates an error
1664
-
1665
-```
1666
-lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ pzlchk DESIG pctX
1667
-```
1668
-
1669
-For example, here's what a fully working, submitted output would look like:
1670
-
1671
-```
1672
-lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ pzlchk DESIG pctX
1673
-Checking DESIG/pctX data files ...
1674
- > checking key file ...
1675
- > key file exists: pctX.puzzle.key
1676
- > key is of correct format
1677
- > key is of correct length
1678
- > key matches an entry in the MANIFEST
1679
- > checking solution file ...
1680
- > solution file exists: pctX.puzzle.solution
1681
- > solution file meets minimum length requirements
1682
- > checking verify file ...
1683
- > verify file exists: pctX.puzzle.verify
1684
- > verify is NOT of incorrect format
1685
-
1686
-Checking DESIG/pctX submission ... submitted on 20210202-211205
1687
-```
1688
-
1689
-## SUBMISSION
1690
-
1691
-By successfully performing this project, you should be submitting files
1692
-that satisfy the following requirements:
1693
-
1694
- * a `pctX.puzzle.key` file formatted as indicated elsewhere in this project document
1695
- * a `pctX.puzzle.solution` file containing organized and informative detailing of your path to solution
1696
- * a `pctX.puzzle.verify` file containing the appropriate verification information
1697
-
1698
-NOTE: Please substitute the actual project number in place of the 'X' in
1699
-pctX.
1700
-
1701
-To submit this project to me using the **submit** tool, run the following
1702
-command at your lab46 prompt:
1703
-
1704
-```
1705
-lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ submit DESIG pctX pctX.puzzle.key pctX.puzzle.solution pctX.puzzle.verify
1706
-Submitting DESIG project "pctX":
1707
- -> pctX.puzzle.key(OK)
1708
- -> pctX.puzzle.solution(OK)
1709
- -> pctX.puzzle.verify(OK)
1710
-
1711
-SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED
1712
-```
1713
-
1714
-NOTE: "DESIG" here is your class designation. It can be something like
1715
-"cprog", "unix", "data", "discrete", "c4eng". You should know what your
1716
-particular class designation is and substitute it into the submit line
1717
-above.
1718
-
1719
-You should get some sort of confirmation indicating successful submission
1720
-if all went according to plan. If not, check for typos and or locational
1721
-mismatches.
1722
-
1723
-I'll be looking for the following:
1724
-
1725
-```
1726
-XX:pctX:final tally of results (XX/XX)
1727
-*:pctX:puzzle.key file submitted with correct values [#/#] (lower half of one-third)
1728
-*:pctX:puzzle.solution documents discovery of each letter [#/#] (two-thirds)
1729
-*:pctX:puzzle.verify provides verification information [#/#] (upper half of one-third)
1730
-```
1731
-
1732
-Additional points of consideration:
1733
-
1734
- * if any restrictions are in force and they are ignored in the solving of the problem, up to 50% of credit can be deducted.
1735
- * if solution is messy and disorganized, up to 50% of credit can be deducted (if I cannot easily tell how you got something).
1736
-
1737
-Point values for the various iterations of pctX projects:
1738
-
1739
-| pct0 | 13 pts | bonus |
1740
-| pct1 | 13 pts | bonus |
1741
-| pct2 | 26 pts | |
1742
-| pct3 | 26 pts | bonus |
1743
-| pct4 | 26 pts | |
1744
-| pct5 | 39 pts | bonus |
1745
-| pct6 | 39 pts | |
1746
-| pct7 | 39 pts | bonus |
1747
-| pct8 | 39 pts | |
1748
-| pct9 | 52 pts | bonus |
1749
-| pctA | 52 pts | |
1750
-| pctB | 52 pts | bonus |
1751
-| pctC | 52 pts | |
1752
-| pctD | 52 pts | bonus |
1753
-| pctE | 52 pts | bonus |
1754
-| bwp1 | 39 pts | bonus |
1755
-| bwp2 | 52 pts | bonus |
haas/spring2026/common/projects/ntr0.md
... ...
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
1
+# PROJECT: GETTING STARTED, PART ONE (ntr0)
2
+
3
+## OBJECTIVE
4
+
5
+To get started in your journey in the course this semester
6
+
7
+## TASK
8
+
9
+By the deadline, please do the following:
10
+
11
+ * sign onto the class Discord server with your preferred account
12
+ * on Discord, identify yourself and indicate what class(es) you are in
13
+ * provide the instructor (haas@corning-cc.edu) with your github username
14
+ * provide the instructor (haas@corning-cc.edu) with your SSH public key
15
+
16
+NOTE: if desired, your SSH public key may be the same one you use to
17
+access github.
18
+
19
+Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent) for information on generating an SSH key.
20
+
21
+## SUBMISSION
22
+
23
+```
24
+26:ntr0:final tally of results (26/26)
25
+*:ntr0:signed into and are active on the class DISCORD [6/6]
26
+*:ntr0:identified self and state classes on DISCORD [7/7]
27
+*:ntr0:provided instructor preferred GITHUB USERNAME [6/6]
28
+*:ntr0:provided instructor preferred SSH PUBLIC KEY [7/7]
29
+```
30
+
31
+Additionally:
32
+ * Solutions not abiding by spirit of project will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
33
+ * Solutions not utilizing descriptive why and how comments will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
34
+ * Solutions not utilizing indentation to promote scope and clarity will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
35
+ * Solutions not organized and easy to read (assume a terminal at least 90 characters wide, 40 characters tall) are subject to a 25% overall deduction
haas/spring2026/common/projects/ntr1.md
... ...
@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
1
+# PROJECT: GETTING STARTED, PART TWO (ntr1)
2
+
3
+## OBJECTIVE
4
+
5
+To continue getting started in your journey in the course this semester.
6
+Upon completion of this project, you should have established access to
7
+the pertinent class resources we will be utilizing all semester.
8
+
9
+## TIME MANAGEMENT
10
+
11
+Please note that while this project has a DEADLINE, it is not intended
12
+for you to crank out all in one sitting, especially at the last minute.
13
+
14
+Some steps may require some interaction, or successful completion and
15
+processing of steps from other, previous projects in order to proceed.
16
+
17
+Be sure to give yourself adequate time and do not run out the clock
18
+thinking everything will be smooth sailing. Technical issues could crop
19
+up at any time.
20
+
21
+## TASK
22
+
23
+By the deadline, please do the following:
24
+
25
+ * [READ THE MAGE BOOK](#READ-THE-MAGE-BOOK)
26
+ * [LOG INTO LAB46 SHELL SYSTEM](#LOG-INTO-LAB46-SHELL-SYSTEM)
27
+ * [CREATE PRIVATE REPOSITORY ON GITHUB](#CREATE-PRIVATE-REPOSITORY-ON-GITHUB)
28
+ * [ESTABLISH README AND PROVIDE INFO](#ESTABLISH-README-AND-PROVIDE-INFO)
29
+ * [INVITE INSTRUCTOR TO REPOSITORY](#INVITE-INSTRUCTOR-TO-REPOSITORY)
30
+ * [CLONE CLASS REPOSITORY ONTO LAB46](#CLONE-CLASS-REPOSITORY-ONTO-LAB46)
31
+ * [CONTRIBUTE CONTENT TO CLASS REPO](#CONTRIBUTE-CONTENT-TO-CLASS-REPO)
32
+
33
+Finally, there is information regarding the [SUBMISSION](#SUBMISSION) and
34
+evaluation of the project at the tail end of this document.
35
+
36
+### READ THE MAGE BOOK
37
+
38
+If you are unfamiliar with the `lab46` system, or UNIX systems in
39
+general, please take some time to read the "UNIX FOR THE BEGINNING MAGE"
40
+PDF that is available for download off the course homepage.
41
+
42
+Feel free to ask any questions regarding its content and concepts on the
43
+DISCORD.
44
+
45
+### LOG INTO LAB46 SHELL SYSTEM
46
+
47
+Using your SSH KEY, giving adequate time for the instructor to install it
48
+on your account, SSH or MOSH into your account on the `lab46` shell
49
+system.
50
+
51
+Any issues, please report them to the instructor on DISCORD.
52
+
53
+Your username on `lab46` is the same as your CCC username (minus the
54
+`@corning-cc.edu`). It will be **lowercase**. The system is **CaSe
55
+SeNsItIvE**, so assume lowercase unless otherwise indicated.
56
+
57
+The hostname for `lab46` is: `lab46.g7n.org`
58
+
59
+To SSH into `lab46` with your username: `ssh user@lab46.g7n.org`
60
+
61
+To MOSH into `lab46` with your username: `mosh user@lab46.g7n.org`
62
+
63
+What is the difference between **SSH** and **MOSH**? While they both
64
+provide a secure, encrypted connection between your local system and the
65
+remove server (`lab46`), **MOSH** is engineered to handle less reliable
66
+connections. If you find your **SSH** connections choppy and freezing up
67
+due to questionable internet, consider trying out **MOSH**, which may
68
+make your connection experience more tolerable.
69
+
70
+NOTE: while most modern systems will have an SSH CLIENT installed, you
71
+are not guaranteed to have a MOSH CLIENT installed. Feel free to install
72
+one if you wish.
73
+
74
+### CREATE PRIVATE REPOSITORY ON GITHUB
75
+
76
+On GITHUB, under the account your provided to the instructor, create a
77
+new **private** repository by the name of the current SEMESTER.
78
+
79
+Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/creating-a-new-repository) for information on creating a new repository on github.
80
+
81
+NOTE: the suggested name for your repository should be the name of the
82
+current SEMESTER. For example, if the semester is `spring2026`, that
83
+would be an ideal name for your new repository.
84
+
85
+If you are taking multiple classes by the same instructor, you will be
86
+using this same repository for those other classes.
87
+
88
+It is suggested you create subdirectories at the base level of this
89
+repository, one for each class you are taking. You may name them after
90
+the course DESIGs to facilitate navigation.
91
+
92
+| DESIG | COURSE |
93
+| --------- | -------------------------------- |
94
+| `cprog` | CSCS1320 C/C++ Programming |
95
+| `unix` | CSCS1730 UNIX/Linux Fundamentals |
96
+| `comporg` | CSCS2650 Computer Organization |
97
+| `sysprog` | CSCS2730 System Programming |
98
+
99
+You can use the `mkdir` command to create new directories. And use the
100
+`ls` command to list them.
101
+
102
+To reduce confusion, please place all content that may be evaluated in
103
+the default **main** branch of your repository.
104
+
105
+### ESTABLISH README AND PROVIDE INFO
106
+
107
+In your newly created repository on GITHUB, create a `README.md` file and
108
+in it, state the purpose of the repository. Feel free to document
109
+additional information pertinent for better understanding or navigating
110
+the repository.
111
+
112
+Also in your `README.md`, include an `ABOUT ME` type of section that
113
+provides at least the following information:
114
+
115
+ * name or preferred nickname
116
+ * program of study you are matriculated in at CCC (CS, Cyber, IT, etc.)
117
+ * any other information you'd like to share (preferred email, etc.)
118
+
119
+An example `README.md` might contain (replace `SEMESTER` with the actual
120
+semester, `DESIG#` with specific course DESIG):
121
+
122
+```
123
+# SEMESTER repository for coursework at SUNY CCC
124
+
125
+This is a repository for the SEMESTER semester, hosting individual
126
+coursework for my various courses.
127
+
128
+Content is categorized by course DESIG, further arranged by individual
129
+project and exploration name.
130
+
131
+## ABOUT ME
132
+
133
+Hello, I am NAME. I am a student enrolled in the PROGRAM program at SUNY
134
+Corning Community College.
135
+
136
+Include any preferred nicknames or other pertinent information you'd like
137
+to share.
138
+
139
+## DESIG1
140
+
141
+This is where content generated during my explorations of DESIG1 will be stored.
142
+
143
+## DESIG2
144
+
145
+This is where content generated during my explorations of DESIG2 will be stored.
146
+
147
+```
148
+
149
+Be sure to **add**, **commit**, and **push** this to your repository. And
150
+synchronize any of your clones of this repository by doing a **pull**.
151
+
152
+### INVITE INSTRUCTOR TO REPOSITORY
153
+
154
+On GITHUB, invite the instructor to be a contributor to this private
155
+repo.
156
+
157
+Please see [this page](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/repository-access-and-collaboration/inviting-collaborators-to-a-personal-repository) for information on inviting collaborators to a repository on GITHUB.
158
+
159
+If you'd like them to potentially offer assistance, you can give your
160
+instructor read/write access. But at a minimum, they must be able to
161
+CLONE and READ the repository.
162
+
163
+The instructor's GITHUB account is: `wedge1020`
164
+
165
+### CLONE CLASS REPOSITORY ONTO LAB46
166
+
167
+A GITHUB repository has been created for use in collaborative class
168
+activities (specific to the class). Please clone it onto `lab46` and your
169
+various work systems.
170
+
171
+For `lab46`, please clone it under your `~/src/` directory in the base of
172
+your home directory.
173
+
174
+You are free to rename the directory the cloned repository resides in.
175
+
176
+You are free to clone it on your other development systems as desired, to
177
+facilitate your workflow.
178
+
179
+Since you will be a contributor to the repository, expect an invitation
180
+to join the repository once the instructor has successfully received and
181
+processed your GITHUB username, and you've installed your SSH PUBLIC KEY
182
+into your GITHUB account.
183
+
184
+As invitations last for around 7 days, please don't delay in responding
185
+(in the affirmative) to joining the repository.
186
+
187
+### CONTRIBUTE CONTENT TO CLASS REPO
188
+
189
+The class repository will be used for various collaborative class
190
+activities, potentially involving:
191
+
192
+ * recording, organizing, presenting of class notes
193
+ * performing some prescribed documentation activity
194
+ * working on a collaborative class project
195
+
196
+The aim is for your regular (weekly) interaction in this repository to
197
+(in part), count towards the JOURNAL component of your grade.
198
+
199
+A suggested `ntr1`-level contribution would be contributing to the course
200
+notes: ensure it contains the relevant information for getting started,
201
+as experienced across both `ntr0` and `ntr1`, along with any additional
202
+informational tidbits you've encountered/discovered.
203
+
204
+We may want to have a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS section as well, where
205
+class members can pose questions, to have others respond to them.
206
+
207
+## SUBMISSION
208
+
209
+Once again, no manual submission is needed: evaluation is able to be
210
+performed if you have successfully completed the needed steps described
211
+above.
212
+
213
+```
214
+52:ntr1:final tally of results (52/52)
215
+*:ntr1:SSH or MOSH login into lab46 with your SSH KEY [13/13]
216
+*:ntr1:created private SEMESTER repository on GITHUB [6/6]
217
+*:ntr1:establish README and provide requested info [7/7]
218
+*:ntr1:invited instructor to your private SEMESTER repo [13/13]
219
+*:ntr1:cloned class repository from GITHUB on lab46 [6/6]
220
+*:ntr1:contribute content to class repository [7/7]
221
+```
222
+
223
+Additionally:
224
+ * Solutions not abiding by spirit of project will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
225
+ * Solutions not utilizing descriptive why and how comments will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
226
+ * Solutions not utilizing indentation to promote scope and clarity will be subject to a 25% overall deduction
227
+ * Solutions not organized and easy to read (assume a terminal at least 90 characters wide, 40 characters tall) are subject to a 25% overall deduction
haas/spring2026/common/projects/pctX.md
... ...
@@ -0,0 +1,1755 @@
1
+# PROJECT: PRACTICING CRITICAL THINKING (pctX)
2
+
3
+## OBJECTIVE
4
+
5
+To cultivate your problem solving, critical thinking, analytical, and
6
+observation skills.
7
+
8
+The aim here is on observation, analysis, and documentation. You are
9
+solving and documenting a problem by hand, thinking your way through to
10
+solution, NOT copying something, NOR writing any sort of program.
11
+
12
+## BACKGROUND
13
+
14
+The true nature of problem solving frequently involves critical thinking,
15
+analytical, and observation skills. Where problems are not solved by
16
+memorizing some pre-defined set of answers and regurgitating them
17
+mindlessly, but in crafting an elaborate solution from subtle cues and
18
+tested, experimental realizations.
19
+
20
+This project puts you in contact with such endeavours. The better
21
+acquainted you become with these skills, the more adept you will become
22
+at a wide-array of tasks and activities.
23
+
24
+### INVESTIGATION/LOGIC METHODS
25
+
26
+These problems will make use of investigative and logical processes to
27
+allow us to experiment and ascertain the identity of the various letters.
28
+This is often done through:
29
+
30
+ * observation
31
+ * seeing patterns
32
+ * analysis
33
+ * investigation
34
+ * [abduction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abductive_reasoning)
35
+ * [induction](https://www.analyzemath.com/math_induction/mathematical_induction.html)
36
+ * [deduction](http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.99/pax1.html)
37
+
38
+### MATH PREPARATION
39
+
40
+If you find yourself struggling with the concepts of the underlying math:
41
+
42
+ * [Basic Math](https://www.ipracticemath.com/learn/basicmath)
43
+ * [Long Division](https://www.mathsisfun.com/long_division.html)
44
+
45
+The pctX problems are just your standard “long division with
46
+remainder” style problems, only given to you worked out, with the
47
+numbers replaced with letters, so instead of going at it beginning to
48
+end, we investigate it end to start.
49
+
50
+### LONG DIVISION
51
+
52
+A letter division is a category of logic problem where you would take an
53
+ordinary math equation (in long form), and substitute all the numbers for
54
+letters, thereby in a direct sense masking the numeric values present
55
+that correctly enable the problem to work from start to completion. It is
56
+your task, through exploring, experimenting, and playing, to ascertain
57
+the numeric value of each letter (as many as 10, one for each numeric
58
+value 0-9).
59
+
60
+We will be focusing on long division, something you learned (and perhaps
61
+last experienced, before becoming mindlessly addicted to pressing buttons
62
+on a calculator), in grade school. It entails a whole number (integer)
63
+division, involving aspects addition (through borrowing), and subtraction
64
+(primarily) to arrive at a quotient and a remainder, and if applicable:
65
+multiplication.
66
+
67
+There is also a logical/relational aspect to these puzzles, which may
68
+well be less familiar territory to some. But so incredibly important when
69
+exploring a process and communicating such notions to the computer.
70
+
71
+Division is unique in that it produces two 'answers', each serving
72
+particular uses in various applications.
73
+
74
+Here is an example (using numbers):
75
+
76
+First up, we're going to divide 87654321 (the dividend) by 1224 (the
77
+divisor). Commonly, especially if punching into a calculator, we might
78
+express that equation as:
79
+
80
+```
81
+87654321/1224
82
+```
83
+
84
+Or in a language like C, assigning the quotient to the variable **x** (an
85
+**int**eger):
86
+
87
+```
88
+ x = 87654321 / 1224;
89
+```
90
+
91
+But, we're not specifically interested in the 'answer' (quotient or
92
+remainder); we are interested in the PROCESS. You know, the stuff the
93
+calculator does for you, which in order to perform this project and
94
+better explore the aspects of critical thinking, we need to take and
95
+encounter every step of the way:
96
+
97
+```
98
+ 71613
99
+ +---------
100
+1224 | 87654321
101
+ -8568
102
+ ====
103
+ 1974
104
+ -1224
105
+ ====
106
+ 7503
107
+ -7344
108
+ ====
109
+ 1592
110
+ -1224
111
+ ====
112
+ 3681
113
+ -3672
114
+ ====
115
+ 9
116
+```
117
+
118
+Here we obtain the results (focusing on the quotient up top; as the
119
+remainder quite literally is what remains once we're done- we're
120
+specifically NOT delving into decimal points, but instead doing integer
121
+division, which as previously stated has MANY important applications in
122
+computing) through a step by step process of seeing how many times our
123
+divisor (1224) best and in the smallest fashion fits into some current
124
+value of the dividend (or intermediate result thereof).
125
+
126
+For instance, seeking the smallest "best fit" of 1224 into 87654321, we
127
+find that 1224 fits best SEVEN times (1224 * 7 = 8568, which is the
128
+CLOSEST we can get to 8765... 1224 * 8 = 9792, which would be too big
129
+(and way too small for 87654). Clearly, we are seeking those values that
130
+best fit within a multiple of 0-9, staying away from double digits of
131
+multiplication (although, we COULD do it that way and still arrive at the
132
+same end result).
133
+
134
+So: 8765-8568 = 197.
135
+
136
+We have our first result, yet: there's still values in the dividend
137
+(87654321) remaining to process, specifically the 4321, so we take them
138
+one digit at a time.
139
+
140
+The next available, unprocessed digit in 4321 is '4', so we 'drop that
141
+down' and append it to our previous result (197), giving us: 1974.
142
+
143
+We now see how many times (via single digit multiplication), our divisor
144
+(1224) can fit into 1974. As it turns out, just once.
145
+
146
+So: 1974-1224 = 750.
147
+
148
+And we keep repeating the process until there are no more digits from the
149
+dividend to drop down; at which point, we are left with a remainder (in
150
+the above problem, the lone '9' at the very bottom; THAT is the
151
+remainder).
152
+
153
+Clearly it is important to have a handle on and understanding of the
154
+basic long division process before attempting a letter division problem.
155
+So, be sure to try your hand at a few practice problems before
156
+proceeding.
157
+
158
+## LETTER DIVISION: an example
159
+
160
+Following will be a sample letter division problem, and a documented
161
+solution of it, much as you will be doing for this project (and to be
162
+sure: the aim here is not merely to solve it, but to DOCUMENT HOW YOU
163
+SOLVED IT. You might want to keep notes as you go along to save you time
164
+and sanity).
165
+
166
+Here goes:
167
+
168
+```
169
+ GLJK
170
+ +---------
171
+ KJKK | GLMBRVLR
172
+ -VKOKL
173
+ =====
174
+ LJBGV
175
+ -OKVKG
176
+ =====
177
+ JJGKL
178
+ -LKBKV
179
+ =====
180
+ KVRMR
181
+ -JKRKB
182
+ =====
183
+ VKMK
184
+
185
+letters: BGJKLMOPRV
186
+```
187
+
188
+First off, note how this is NO DIFFERENT from the numeric problem above:
189
+just instead of numbers, which we've associated some concepts with, here
190
+we have letters (each letter maps to a unique number, 0-9). The trick
191
+will be to figure out which letter maps to which number.
192
+
193
+So, let us begin.
194
+
195
+One aim is to obtain the key to the puzzle, the mapping of the letters to
196
+numbers, so I will typically set up an answer key as follows:
197
+
198
+```
199
+| 0 | |
200
+| 1 | |
201
+| 2 | |
202
+| 3 | |
203
+| 4 | |
204
+| 5 | |
205
+| 6 | |
206
+| 7 | |
207
+| 8 | |
208
+| 9 | |
209
+```
210
+
211
+Another thing I like to do is set up a more visual representation of what
212
+each letter COULD be. I do so in the following form (I call this a "Range
213
+Table"):
214
+
215
+```
216
+B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
217
+G = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
218
+J = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
219
+K = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
220
+L = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
221
+M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
222
+O = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
223
+P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
224
+R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
225
+V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
226
+```
227
+
228
+Then, as I figure things out (either what certain are, but mostly, which
229
+ones they are NOT), I can mark it up accordingly.
230
+
231
+Right from the start, we can already make some important connections;
232
+looking at EACH of the subtractions taking place, in the left-most
233
+position, we see an interesting phenomenon taking place- G-V=0, L-O=0,
234
+J-L=0, and K-J=0.
235
+
236
+Now, since EACH letter is its own unique numeric value, subtracting one
237
+letter from another on its own won't result in a value of 0, but being
238
+borrowed from will.
239
+
240
+That is: 7-6=1, but (7-1)-6=0. THAT is what is going on here.
241
+
242
+So what we can infer from this, is some very important connections:
243
+
244
+ * V is one less than G (I'll write it as: V < G)
245
+ * O is one less than L (O < L)
246
+ * L is one less than J (L < J)
247
+ * J is one less than K (J < K)
248
+
249
+Does that make sense? From looking at the puzzle, those four relations
250
+can be made.
251
+
252
+Now, FURTHERMORE, some of those connections are thereby connected. Look
253
+at the 'L' and 'J' connections:
254
+
255
+ * O < L, but also: L < J
256
+ * L < J, but also: J < K
257
+
258
+That implies a further connection, so we can chain them together:
259
+
260
+ * O < L < J < K
261
+
262
+So from that initial observation and connection, we now have two
263
+disconnected relationships:
264
+
265
+ * V < G
266
+ * O < L < J < K
267
+
268
+From what we've done so far, we do not know where V,G fall in respect to
269
+O,L,J,K. They might be less than, OR greater than. We won't know without
270
+further information.
271
+
272
+Yet, even WITH this information, we can update our letter ranges:
273
+
274
+ * since V is less than G, we know V can NOT be 9.
275
+ * similarly, G can NOT be 0.
276
+ * O cannot be 9, 8, 7, because we know O is 3 less than K. So even though we don't know what K actually is, because K COULD be 9, we know what O, L, and J can NOT be.
277
+ * L cannot be 9 or 8
278
+ * J cannot be 9
279
+ * on the other side, K cannot be 0, 1, or 2
280
+ * J cannot be 0 or 1
281
+ * L cannot be 0.
282
+
283
+So, if we update our range chart accordingly:
284
+
285
+```
286
+B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 }
287
+G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
288
+J = { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, }
289
+K = { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
290
+L = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, }
291
+M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
292
+O = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, }
293
+P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
294
+R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
295
+V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
296
+```
297
+
298
+Moving on, dealing with details of discovering those one-off relations,
299
+that tells us something about the NEXT subtractions: that they borrow
300
+(which means they are LESS THAN the thing being subtracted from them):
301
+
302
+ * L is less than K (which we actually know to be 2 less than K), so L - K needs to BORROW
303
+ * J is less than K (which we know is 1 less than K), so J - K needs to BORROW
304
+ * V is apparently also less than K (which we didn't previously know), so V - K needs to BORROW
305
+ * now knowing than V << K, we can connect our other relational fragment in (I use the double '<<' to denote "less than" by an unknown amount, because while we know V is less than K, we don't know by how much).
306
+
307
+So: V < G << O < L < J < K
308
+
309
+This allows us some further whittling of our ranges:
310
+
311
+ * V cannot be 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5
312
+ * G cannot be 9, 8, 7, or 6
313
+ * O cannot be 0, or 1
314
+ * L cannot be 0, 1, or 2
315
+ * J cannot be 0, 1, 2, or 3
316
+ * K cannot be 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
317
+
318
+```
319
+B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 }
320
+G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
321
+J = { 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, }
322
+K = { 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
323
+L = { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, }
324
+M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
325
+O = { 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, }
326
+P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
327
+R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
328
+V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
329
+```
330
+
331
+Already we can see that V and G are likely lower numbers, and O, L, J,
332
+and K are likely higher numbers.
333
+
334
+What else do we have? Let's keep going:
335
+
336
+We cannot instantly proceed to the next subtraction in as obvious a
337
+progression, as we'll need more information on the various letters
338
+involved.
339
+
340
+### Finding K (and J and L and O as well)
341
+
342
+However, looking at the puzzle, I'm interested in seeing if we can find
343
+any obvious examples of 0. You know, letter minus same letter sort of
344
+things. Because they will typically end up equalling 0 (or 9).
345
+
346
+Why 9? Because of a borrow!
347
+
348
+```
349
+((5-1)+10)-5 = (4+10)-5 = 14 - 5 = 9
350
+```
351
+
352
+... that can be quite revealing too!
353
+
354
+And it would appear we have one wonderful candidate in the bottom-most
355
+subtraction:
356
+
357
+```
358
+ KVRMR
359
+ -JKRKB
360
+ =====
361
+ VKMK
362
+```
363
+
364
+Lookie there: R-R = K.
365
+
366
+Usually, that would result in a 0. BUT, we also know that K can NOT be 0
367
+(looking at our range table above).
368
+
369
+So, that means it is being borrowed from, and it itself has to borrow, so
370
+we now also know that M is less than K: M << K
371
+
372
+And, as indicated above:
373
+
374
+```
375
+((R-1)+10)-R = 9!
376
+```
377
+
378
+We now know that K = 9!
379
+
380
+That suddenly reveals a whole lot to us, due to our relational chains
381
+we've built. Let's update:
382
+
383
+```
384
+| 0 | |
385
+| 1 | |
386
+| 2 | |
387
+| 3 | |
388
+| 4 | |
389
+| 5 | |
390
+| 6 | O |
391
+| 7 | L |
392
+| 8 | J |
393
+| 9 | K |
394
+```
395
+
396
+Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
397
+
398
+```
399
+B = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
400
+G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
401
+J = { 8 }
402
+K = { 9 }
403
+L = { 7 }
404
+M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
405
+O = { 6 }
406
+P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
407
+R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
408
+V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
409
+```
410
+
411
+And, our relational chains:
412
+
413
+ * V < G << O < L < J < K
414
+ * M << O < L < J < K
415
+
416
+Because we don't yet know any relation of M compared to V or G, we have
417
+to keep them separate for now.
418
+
419
+We also have a second disqualifier for K being 0... the ones place
420
+subtraction in that bottom-most subtraction:
421
+
422
+```
423
+R - B = K
424
+```
425
+
426
+There's nothing further to the right that could borrow from this problem,
427
+so it can only exist in two states:
428
+
429
+ * R is greater than B
430
+ * R is less than B
431
+
432
+Since we know that K is 9, there's NO OTHER pair of single digit numbers
433
+we can subtract to get 9, which tells us that:
434
+
435
+ * R is less than B (R << B)
436
+
437
+Currently both R and B can be 0-5 (although now, B is 1-5, and R is 0-4).
438
+We'd need to find a combination where (R+10)-B is 9:
439
+
440
+```
441
+| R: 0 | R: 1 | R: 2 | R: 3 | R: 4 |
442
+| (0+10) | (1+10) | (2+10) | (3+10) | (4+10) |
443
+| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
444
+```
445
+
446
+And from that, we're subtracting B, which is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The answer
447
+has to be 9.
448
+
449
+So:
450
+
451
+10-1=9, 11-2=9, 12-3=9, 13-4=9, and 14-5=9
452
+
453
+Hey, look at that... B is one greater than R (not just R << B, BUT: R <
454
+B)
455
+
456
+Our relational chains:
457
+
458
+ * V < G << O < L < J < K
459
+ * M << O < L < J < K
460
+ * R < B << O < L < J < K
461
+
462
+And our range table:
463
+
464
+```
465
+B = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
466
+G = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
467
+J = { 8 }
468
+K = { 9 }
469
+L = { 7 }
470
+M = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
471
+O = { 6 }
472
+P = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, }
473
+R = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
474
+V = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, }
475
+```
476
+
477
+If you look, the only letter we've not yet directly interacted with yet
478
+is 'P', although we already know enough about it (that it is 0-5, less
479
+than O, L, J, and K). And if you look closely, you'll notice that 'P'
480
+isn't even present in the letter division problem! So its identity will
481
+rely entirely on the proving of the other values.
482
+
483
+Let's continue on:
484
+
485
+M-K=M, BECAUSE we know M << K, AND BECAUSE we know the subtraction to the
486
+right is borrowing from it (because R < B), we have something like this:
487
+(M-1+10)-K=M
488
+
489
+Can't really do much more with it at this point, but it is important to
490
+know to help us identify the borrows needing to happen.
491
+
492
+### Finding our zero value (R and B)
493
+
494
+Why don't we go ahead and find 0? If you look in the subtraction above
495
+the bottom one, we have another "letter minus same letter" scenario, and
496
+it doesn't equal K!
497
+
498
+```
499
+ JJGKL
500
+ -LKBKV
501
+ =====
502
+ KVRM
503
+```
504
+
505
+We KNOW that V << L, so no borrow is happening there.
506
+
507
+Therefore, K-K, or 9-9, equals 0. So R is 0!
508
+
509
+... and B is 1! Because of our identified relationship.
510
+
511
+Updating things!
512
+
513
+```
514
+| 0 | R |
515
+| 1 | B |
516
+| 2 | |
517
+| 3 | |
518
+| 4 | |
519
+| 5 | |
520
+| 6 | O |
521
+| 7 | L |
522
+| 8 | J |
523
+| 9 | K |
524
+```
525
+
526
+Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
527
+
528
+```
529
+B = { 1 }
530
+G = { 3, 4, 5, }
531
+J = { 8 }
532
+K = { 9 }
533
+L = { 7 }
534
+M = { 2, 3, 4, 5, }
535
+O = { 6 }
536
+P = { 2, 3, 4, 5, }
537
+R = { 0 }
538
+V = { 2, 3, 4, }
539
+```
540
+
541
+NOTE: G is NOT 2, because G is greater than V (one greater, in fact), so
542
+we can similarly whittle that off.
543
+
544
+Relational chains can look as follows now:
545
+
546
+ * R < B << V < G << O < L < J < K
547
+ * R < B << M << O < L < J < K
548
+ * R < B << P << O < L < J < K
549
+
550
+Basically just down to V, G, P, and M.
551
+
552
+### Finding V and G
553
+
554
+And I think we have the means to find V: notice the second to last
555
+subtraction, the "LKBKV". You know where we get that from? Multiplying
556
+the divisor (KJKK) by J (since it is the third subtraction taking place).
557
+
558
+We KNOW the numeric values of K and J, in fact we know the values of L,
559
+K, and B. The only thing we don't know is 'V', and since V is in the
560
+one's place, that makes things super easy for us.
561
+
562
+KJKK = 9899
563
+J = 8
564
+
565
+So: 9899 x 8 = 79192 = LKBKV!
566
+
567
+V is 2!
568
+
569
+Which means, because V < G, that G is 3!
570
+
571
+Updating our records:
572
+
573
+```
574
+| 0 | R |
575
+| 1 | B |
576
+| 2 | V |
577
+| 3 | G |
578
+| 4 | |
579
+| 5 | |
580
+| 6 | O |
581
+| 7 | L |
582
+| 8 | J |
583
+| 9 | K |
584
+```
585
+
586
+Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
587
+
588
+```
589
+B = { 1 }
590
+G = { 3 }
591
+J = { 8 }
592
+K = { 9 }
593
+L = { 7 }
594
+M = { 4, 5, }
595
+O = { 6 }
596
+P = { 4, 5, }
597
+R = { 0 }
598
+V = { 2 }
599
+```
600
+
601
+Relational chains can look as follows now:
602
+
603
+ * R < B < V < G << M << O < L < J < K
604
+ * R < B < V < G << P << O < L < J < K
605
+
606
+### Finding M and discovering P
607
+
608
+And then there were 2. We really just need to find M, or P, and we're
609
+done. And since there are no 'P' values in the puzzle, we need to target
610
+M. So let's look for some candidates:
611
+
612
+Hey, how about this:
613
+
614
+```
615
+ JJGKL
616
+ -LKBKV
617
+ =====
618
+ KVRM
619
+```
620
+
621
+One's place subtraction: L - V = M.
622
+
623
+We KNOW L (7) is greater than V (2), so no borrow is happening.
624
+
625
+L-V=M
626
+7-2=5
627
+
628
+M is 5. That means P is 4 by process of elimination.
629
+
630
+Puzzle completed:
631
+
632
+```
633
+| 0 | R |
634
+| 1 | B |
635
+| 2 | V |
636
+| 3 | G |
637
+| 4 | P |
638
+| 5 | M |
639
+| 6 | O |
640
+| 7 | L |
641
+| 8 | J |
642
+| 9 | K |
643
+```
644
+
645
+Also, with the new introduction of M being less than K:
646
+
647
+```
648
+B = { 1 }
649
+G = { 3 }
650
+J = { 8 }
651
+K = { 9 }
652
+L = { 7 }
653
+M = { 5 }
654
+O = { 6 }
655
+P = { 4 }
656
+R = { 0 }
657
+V = { 2 }
658
+```
659
+
660
+Relational chains can look as follows now:
661
+
662
+ * R < B < V < G < P < M < O < L < J < K
663
+
664
+I wasn't able to show it as well in text on the wiki, but I also made a
665
+point to mark up each subtraction to show whether a borrow occurred or
666
+not:
667
+
668
+{{ :undefined:borrows.jpg?400 |}}
669
+
670
+To be sure, there are likely MANY, MANY ways to arrive at these
671
+conclusions. What is important is being observant, performing little
672
+experiments, seeing if there can be any insights to have, even if
673
+whittling away knowing what things can NOT be.
674
+
675
+Your performance on this project will be directly tied to being able to
676
+document your process through the puzzle; I have provided this writeup in
677
+order to show you an example of what that process may look like.
678
+
679
+## GETTING STARTED
680
+
681
+In the **pctX/** sub-directory of your class Public Directory, under a
682
+directory by the name of your username, you will find the following
683
+file(s):
684
+
685
+ * **puzzle**
686
+ * possibly also a file called **table**
687
+ * if desired, you can use **worksheet** as a base for your solution file, or for generating text-based representations for using on discord when asking for help.
688
+
689
+Copy this file into your local project directory. For most classes, a
690
+**grabit** is available. For others, you'll have to manually copy the
691
+file on your own.
692
+
693
+There is also a **MANIFEST** file in the parent directory (the **pctX/**
694
+sub-directory), which will contain MD5sums of the various puzzle keys,
695
+provided to help you in verifying your puzzle key.
696
+
697
+For this project, you have to solve, DOCUMENT, AND VERIFY the provided
698
+puzzle in order to be eligible for full credit will be the one contained
699
+in the **puzzle** file.
700
+
701
+To obtain your puzzle, you can utilize the 'grabit' tool on lab46.
702
+
703
+## PROCESS
704
+
705
+Solve, document, and verify the puzzle.
706
+
707
+On your own.
708
+
709
+Seek to discover and explore and understand, NOT to just come up with an
710
+answer.
711
+
712
+It is recommended you do this by hand, ON PAPER. Furthermore, using graph
713
+paper may help in greatly reducing mistakes, as is using two different
714
+coloured writing implements (green, purple; or blue, black)... write up
715
+the puzzle in one colour, then use the other to mark up borrows and the
716
+like.
717
+
718
+## A NOTE ON NUMBER BASES
719
+
720
+Some of the puzzles you may be presented with may be in different number
721
+bases.
722
+
723
+You are likely acclimated to the **base 10** number system, where we have
724
+ten unique counting digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
725
+
726
+Different number bases simply have less or more digits.
727
+
728
+For example, base 8 and 9 both have fewer than ten counting values:
729
+
730
+| base | numbers |
731
+| ---- | ------------------------- |
732
+| 8 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
733
+| 9 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
734
+
735
+And then we have bases with MORE counting values than in base 10:
736
+
737
+| base | numbers |
738
+| ---- | ---------------------------------- |
739
+| 11 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A |
740
+| 12 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B |
741
+
742
+Notice the presence of 'A' and 'B'... these are not variables or
743
+algebraic values. These are bonafide **NUMBERS**, just like 1, 2, 3.
744
+
745
+Differences manifest once you exceed the maximum counting value for the base:
746
+
747
+ * base 8: 7 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "eight")
748
+ * base 9: 8 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "nine")
749
+ * base 10: 9 + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "ten")
750
+ * base 11: A + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "eleven")
751
+ * base 12: B + 1 = 10 (pronounced "one-zero", the quantity we know of in base 10 as "twelve")
752
+
753
+You likely have extensively memorized a table of single-digit base 10
754
+values, which at first glance makes this other base stuff unfamiliar. But
755
+it works according to the same properties as base 10 (just, different
756
+symbols representing the quantities involved).
757
+
758
+For any strategies involving the "9" value (in base 10), you will find
759
+that the same strategy works in other bases (so it isn't so much a "9
760
+trick" as it is a "highest counting digit trick").
761
+
762
+Similarly, any of the relational or logical tricks will "just work", it
763
+is only the appearance of mathematical end results that really differs.
764
+So, if you are adept at the logical/relational methods for investigating
765
+a puzzle, you could perhaps minimize the amount of base-related math you
766
+may have to do (certainly on lower difficulty levels of puzzle).
767
+
768
+## YOUR SUBMISSION
769
+
770
+### SUBMISSION FOR STANDARD-STYLE LETTER DIVISION
771
+
772
+If your puzzle was provided with a quotient and remainder (and contains
773
+no question marks in the puzzle proper), you have a regular puzzle.
774
+
775
+The files you will want to submit include:
776
+
777
+ * your puzzle key, in a textfile called 'pctX.puzzle.key' containing ONLY the capital letters corresponding in order to the 0-9 values (and a trailing newline).
778
+ * your documentation of your solving and exploration of the puzzle. If you did this on paper, will need to transcribe it out into clearly readable, organized, and followable text directions. The file, in text form, should be called 'pctX.puzzle.solution'. Images of your notes will NOT be accepted for submission.
779
+ * your verification in a file called 'pctX.puzzle.verify': this is after you've completed the puzzle, and you are resolving parts of the puzzle to ensure that the letter to number mappings are valid.
780
+
781
+Your solution MUST be of a form so that, if given to another person, they
782
+can follow your steps and have an understanding of the decisions made.
783
+
784
+### SUBMISSION FOR SOLVE4-STYLE LETTER DIVISION
785
+
786
+The point behind a "solve4" puzzle is to also determine the `QUOTIENT` and `REMAINDER`, in addition to the key.
787
+
788
+ * your puzzle key, in a textfile called 'pctX.puzzle.key' containing ONLY the capital letters corresponding in order to the 0-9 values (and a trailing newline).
789
+ * your documentation of your solving and exploration of the puzzle. If you did this on paper, will need to transcribe it out into clearly readable, organized, and followable text directions. The file, in text form, should be called 'pctX.puzzle.solution'. Images of your notes will NOT be accepted for submission.
790
+ * your quotient:remainder (in letterized/obfuscated form), in a text file called 'pctX.puzzle.verify'
791
+
792
+Your solution MUST be of a form so that, if given to another person, they
793
+can follow your steps and have an understanding of the decisions made to
794
+get them from start to solution.
795
+
796
+## PUZZLE KEY
797
+
798
+As indicated, you are to place the determined key to your puzzle in a
799
+regular text file called 'pctX.puzzle.key', and will contain ONLY the
800
+capital letters, in order from 0 to the highest counting symbol of the
801
+base, of your puzzle (and a trailing newline).
802
+
803
+For example, using the example puzzle above:
804
+
805
+| 0 | R |
806
+| 1 | B |
807
+| 2 | V |
808
+| 3 | G |
809
+| 4 | P |
810
+| 5 | M |
811
+| 6 | O |
812
+| 7 | L |
813
+| 8 | J |
814
+| 9 | K |
815
+
816
+We'll want to put them, in order, in our key file:
817
+
818
+```
819
+$ echo "RBVGPMOLJK" > pctX.puzzle.key
820
+```
821
+
822
+Want to know what a proper 'key' file should look like? This:
823
+
824
+```
825
+$ cat pctX.puzzle.key
826
+RBVGPMOLJK
827
+```
828
+
829
+JUST the letters (and a trailing newline).
830
+
831
+## PUZZLE SOLUTION
832
+
833
+As stated, a very large part of this project's evaluation will be based
834
+on your clear and detailed documentation of how you determined each
835
+letter's mapping in the solution key of your puzzle.
836
+
837
+Just providing the 'key' will not result in success.
838
+
839
+Your documentation should, while there may be supporting information,
840
+provide some identified path that showed the steps you went through to
841
+identify each letter, be it directly or indirectly.
842
+
843
+You are free to write out your solution with pen on paper (that is how I
844
+usually do these puzzles); but to submit, you MUST transcribe it to text
845
+and submit it in that format. Images will NOT be accepted. Do not look on
846
+this as a reason to avoid doing it by hand: the manual work of the
847
+process is inherently beneficial, you simply need to commit to doing it.
848
+
849
+The aim here is not to dump a bunch of data on me, but instead present me
850
+with connected and pertinent information that documents your process of
851
+progression through the puzzle from start to finish. This is in the same
852
+vein as programming in a language on a computer. A computer program is a
853
+detailed description of a process to solving some problem in a format the
854
+receiver can understand.
855
+
856
+## VERIFICATION
857
+
858
+Depending on the type of puzzle you have (regular or "solve for"
859
+variety), the contents of your verification file will differ.
860
+
861
+What is the difference between a regular puzzle and a solve4 puzzle?
862
+Basically:
863
+
864
+ * a regular puzzle comes with quotient and remainder included in your puzzle
865
+ * a solve4 puzzle omits the quotient and remainder, and instead replaces them with a series of question marks, indicating that as part of your task in solving the puzzle, you must also figure out the quotient and remainder (this is why the verify for solve4 puzzles is shorter and simpler: you've already done so much of the verification work in solving it).
866
+
867
+### REGULAR PUZZLE
868
+
869
+In this form, your 'pctX.puzzle.verify' file will be similar format to
870
+your writeup (a description of what aspects of the puzzle you are testing
871
+to ensure things work out).
872
+
873
+You are to manually verify your solution by taking the numeric identities
874
+of each letter, plugging them back into the original puzzle, solving it,
875
+and converting the obtained quotient and remainder back into letter form
876
+to compare with those in the puzzle provided to you. If they match, you
877
+have successfully solved the puzzle. If they do not match, some error
878
+exists that should be addressed and corrected.
879
+
880
+An example of a verification text can be found below.
881
+
882
+### EXAMPLE FOR REGULAR PUZZLE
883
+
884
+The best way to verify the puzzle with our key is to convert the dividend
885
+and divisor to its numeric equivalent, perform the division, and
886
+compare the resulting quotient and remainder against those found in the
887
+letterified puzzle:
888
+
889
+ * divisor: KJKK --> 9899
890
+ * dividend: GLMBRVLR --> 37510270
891
+
892
+And let's do some long division!
893
+
894
+```
895
+ +---------
896
+ 9899 | 37510270
897
+```
898
+
899
+9899 goes into 37510 three times:
900
+
901
+```
902
+ 3
903
+ +---------
904
+ 9899 | 37510270
905
+ -29697
906
+ =====
907
+ 78132
908
+```
909
+
910
+It might be convenient to have a quick factor reference for 9899 handy:
911
+
912
+ * 9899 * 0 = 0
913
+ * 9899 * 1 = 9899
914
+ * 9899 * 2 = 19798
915
+ * 9899 * 3 = 29697
916
+ * 9899 * 4 = 39596
917
+ * 9899 * 5 = 49495
918
+ * 9899 * 6 = 59394
919
+ * 9899 * 7 = 69293
920
+ * 9899 * 8 = 79192
921
+ * 9899 * 9 = 89091
922
+
923
+9899 fits into 78132 seven times (69293):
924
+
925
+```
926
+ 37
927
+ +---------
928
+ 9899 | 37510270
929
+ -29697
930
+ =====
931
+ 78132
932
+ -69293
933
+ =====
934
+ 88397
935
+```
936
+
937
+Once again, looking at the list of factors, we see that the best fit for 9899 into 88397 is 79192 (a factor of 8):
938
+
939
+```
940
+ 378
941
+ +---------
942
+ 9899 | 37510270
943
+ -29697
944
+ =====
945
+ 78132
946
+ -69293
947
+ =====
948
+ 88397
949
+ -79192
950
+ =====
951
+ 92050
952
+```
953
+
954
+Finally, a factor of 9 (89091) fits in best:
955
+
956
+```
957
+ 3789 <-- quotient
958
+ +---------
959
+ 9899 | 37510270
960
+ -29697
961
+ =====
962
+ 78132
963
+ -69293
964
+ =====
965
+ 88397
966
+ -79192
967
+ =====
968
+ 92050
969
+ -89091
970
+ =====
971
+ 2959 <-- remainder
972
+```
973
+
974
+Converting our quotient and remainder back to letters:
975
+
976
+ * quotient: 3789 --> GLJK
977
+ * remainder: 2959 --> VKMK
978
+
979
+And comparing against the problem we were given:
980
+
981
+ * quotient: GLJK <-> GLJK
982
+ * remainder: VKMK <-> VKMK
983
+
984
+Success!
985
+
986
+## SOLVE4 PUZZLE
987
+
988
+The verification for these puzzles becomes a bit easier, as you are
989
+merely providing the quotient and remainder.
990
+
991
+Let's say the quotient was "BTXMK" and the remainder was "YYGMX"
992
+
993
+You'd prepare your 'pctX.puzzle.verify' file as follows:
994
+
995
+```
996
+$ echo "BTXMK:YYGMX" > pctX.puzzle.verify
997
+```
998
+
999
+Basically: quotient followed by remainder, separated by a colon, all on
1000
+the same line.
1001
+
1002
+NOTE: Do not include any leading zeroes.
1003
+
1004
+## WALKTHROUGH VIDEOS
1005
+
1006
+To further aid your letter division efforts, I have recorded some videos
1007
+showing my walkthrough of various letter division puzzles:
1008
+
1009
+ * [another take on the puzzle presented on this page](https://youtu.be/8oCoGGspf70)
1010
+ * [a base 8 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zoa6iymxpw)
1011
+ * [a base 9 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zil4YjgC6bw)
1012
+ * [a base 10 letter division puzzle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6wv9zXlbJE)
1013
+ * [a base 11 letter division puzzle](https://youtu.be/OHrLOVihi_4)
1014
+
1015
+## STRATEGIES
1016
+
1017
+### LEFT EDGE
1018
+
1019
+An advantage of the left-most values, is the top value is greater than
1020
+those beneath it (it doesn't need to borrow; indeed it CANNOT borrow,
1021
+without breaking math). Might be taken from, however...
1022
+
1023
+This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1024
+puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value) be present in more
1025
+than one place.
1026
+
1027
+For example:
1028
+
1029
+```
1030
+ WXXY
1031
+ -PQRT
1032
+ ====
1033
+ GCBA
1034
+```
1035
+
1036
+ * W-P=G
1037
+ * P << W (P is somewhat less than W)
1038
+ * G << W (G is somewhat less than W)
1039
+
1040
+NOTE: from this example alone, we do NOT know P's relationship to G.
1041
+
1042
+## DETERMINE BORROWS AND TAKES
1043
+
1044
+Like the range table and your chains of assertions gradually assembled
1045
+during puzzle solving, another activity you should undertake is the
1046
+determination of all the borrows/takes in the puzzle.
1047
+
1048
+And not just IF there is a borrow/take, but also if there isn't one.
1049
+
1050
+Many may remember the idea of borrows from math class, and are confused
1051
+at what a "take" is: this is just our attempt to connect one subtraction
1052
+into the tapestry of the overall problem.
1053
+
1054
+Take the following numeric example:
1055
+
1056
+```
1057
+ 545
1058
+-347
1059
+ ===
1060
+ 198
1061
+```
1062
+
1063
+Notice how, looking at the 5-7=8 subtraction (on the far right), we can
1064
+see that the 5 is somewhat less than 7 (and the 8), so that 5 would have
1065
+to borrow.
1066
+
1067
+Being all the way on the right, nothing is able to take from it, so that
1068
+5 is borrowing, but not being taken from.
1069
+
1070
+Onto the 4-4=9… because the 5 to its right is needing to borrow… what
1071
+is it borrowing from? The 4. So our 4 is being "taken from".
1072
+
1073
+ * 4-1=3
1074
+
1075
+3 is less than 4 (And 9), so THAT now has to borrow.
1076
+
1077
+So the 4 is being taken from, and as a result, needs to borrow.
1078
+
1079
+Then proceeding left to the 5-3=1... being all the way on the left,
1080
+it can’t borrow from anything, and the universe would explode
1081
+mathematically if the leftmost, top value in a long division term were
1082
+less than what was being subtracted from it. So, the 5 does not have to
1083
+borrow. But we know from the 4-4=9 subtraction, that the 4 borrows, and
1084
+it is borrowing from the 5
1085
+
1086
+So: that left-most 5 is not borrowing, but it IS being taken from.
1087
+
1088
+The state of the borrows/takes greatly enhances our ability to scoop up
1089
+additional clues we can turn into assertions.
1090
+
1091
+## TOP IS KNOWN GREATER THAN
1092
+
1093
+When we know the top letter is greater than at least one of the other two
1094
+numbers in the subtraction, turns out it is also greater than the other:
1095
+
1096
+```
1097
+ 8 7 6 5
1098
+-5 -1 -4 -2
1099
+== == == ==
1100
+ 3 6 2 3
1101
+```
1102
+
1103
+This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1104
+puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value and other letter) be
1105
+present in more than one place.
1106
+
1107
+When the top is known to be greater than the or a number beneath, it
1108
+signifies that NO BORROW is happening.
1109
+
1110
+NOTE: this doesn't tell us anything about the TAKE situation.
1111
+
1112
+## TOP IS KNOWN LESS THAN
1113
+
1114
+When we know the top letter is less than at least one of the other two
1115
+numbers in the subtraction, turns out it is also less than the other:
1116
+
1117
+```
1118
+13 12 16 11
1119
+-5 -3 -7 -4
1120
+== == == ==
1121
+ 8 9 9 7
1122
+```
1123
+
1124
+This can also help establish the state of borrows elsewhere in the
1125
+puzzle, should a similar subtraction (same top-value and other letter) be
1126
+present in more than one place.
1127
+
1128
+When the top is known to be less than the or a number beneath, it
1129
+signifies that a BORROW is happening.
1130
+
1131
+NOTE: this doesn't tell us anything about the TAKE situation.
1132
+
1133
+## RIGHT EDGE
1134
+
1135
+We know from right-most values, that they are NOT being taken from.
1136
+
1137
+This can also help establish the state of takes elsewhere in the puzzle,
1138
+should an identical subtraction be present in more than one place.
1139
+
1140
+## LOOK FOR ZERO AND GREATEST SYMBOL CANDIDATES
1141
+
1142
+There are two common give-away cases for finding the two extreme digits
1143
+(least/lowest/zero and greatest/highest) in a puzzle, regardless of base:
1144
+
1145
+```
1146
+ X
1147
+ -X
1148
+ =
1149
+ Y
1150
+```
1151
+
1152
+and:
1153
+
1154
+```
1155
+ X
1156
+ -Y
1157
+ =
1158
+ X
1159
+```
1160
+
1161
+We don't, simply from this display, know if it is 0 or if it is the
1162
+greatest digit. Merely that it can only be 0 or the greatest digit.
1163
+
1164
+Determining the identity of the letter (Y in these examples) depends on
1165
+the state of borrow/takings for the subtraction.
1166
+
1167
+There really are only TWO possibilities here:
1168
+
1169
+ * no borrow AND no take (Y would be 0)
1170
+ * borrow AND take (Y would be the greatest digit)
1171
+
1172
+The other two scenarios are mathematically impossible given this
1173
+particular pattern (again, ONLY for 0, greatest digit scenario).
1174
+
1175
+## PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
1176
+
1177
+A tactic that sees use in almost any puzzle is that of elimination: or
1178
+using logic to negate possibilities.
1179
+
1180
+For example:
1181
+
1182
+```
1183
+ ABCD
1184
+-EFGH
1185
+ ====
1186
+ JKLM
1187
+```
1188
+
1189
+Looking at that right-most subtraction (D-H=M), even if we know NOTHING
1190
+about D, H, or M, we can, however, ascertain that:
1191
+
1192
+ * H is NOT zero
1193
+ * M is NOT zero
1194
+
1195
+Because none of the zero patterns are manifesting (if we had D-H=D, for
1196
+instance, in that right-most position, we'd KNOW that H was zero), we can
1197
+categorically eliminate zero as a possibility for the two lower letters
1198
+in this subtraction (NOTE: D very well COULD BE zero, but we can't do
1199
+anything about determining yet solely based on this observation).
1200
+
1201
+This strategy would work in other places, too, if sufficient
1202
+borrows/takes were known.
1203
+
1204
+For example, in A-E=J, if we had established that A was NOT being taken
1205
+from, we could apply this same elimination to E and J (not zero).
1206
+
1207
+Or B-F=K, or C-G=L, if we knew we weren't being taken from. But if we
1208
+don't know the take situation, we cannot yet act on this.
1209
+
1210
+## DOUBLING
1211
+
1212
+Sometimes we will be treated to things like:
1213
+
1214
+```
1215
+ T
1216
+ -P
1217
+ =
1218
+ P
1219
+```
1220
+
1221
+Which implies T is double the value of P.
1222
+
1223
+This isn't the whole story, as we REALLY need to know the borrow/take
1224
+situation to do anything with this information.
1225
+
1226
+For example, for an even base: if T is being TAKEN FROM, we know that T
1227
+is odd. Likewise, if it is NOT being taken from, T is even.
1228
+
1229
+Also:
1230
+
1231
+ * If T does NOT borrow, P+P is some value less than 10.
1232
+ * If T DOES borrow, P+P is some value greater than or equal to 10.
1233
+
1234
+In either case of T being odd or even, we can eliminate half the values
1235
+(if T is even, it cannot be any odd values, not in an even base).
1236
+
1237
+## NEXT-TO HINTS
1238
+
1239
+Sometimes you may be treated to left-most clues like this:
1240
+
1241
+```
1242
+ JKLM
1243
+ -FGHH
1244
+ ====
1245
+ TWX
1246
+```
1247
+
1248
+Notice how J-F equals nothing? That tells us the following things:
1249
+
1250
+ * F is exactly one value less than J (written: F < J)
1251
+ * K is LESS THAN G and T (K has to borrow to make J-F=0 versus the 1 it would otherwise be).
1252
+
1253
+## MORE NEXT-TO HINTS
1254
+
1255
+What really pays off is when we have a scenario like this:
1256
+
1257
+```
1258
+ JKLJM
1259
+ -FGHFH
1260
+ =====
1261
+ TWUX
1262
+```
1263
+
1264
+See that nestled J-F=U there? Because we had the left-most J-F=NOTHING
1265
+establishing our assertion that F < J, yet NOT knowing the state of being
1266
+taken from (ie not knowing anything about M against H or X):
1267
+
1268
+ * U is EITHER 0 or 1, to be immediately determined once we know the state of M against H or X (the subtraction immediately to the right).
1269
+
1270
+## SUBTRACT BY GREATEST DIGIT, GET INCREMENT
1271
+
1272
+If we have identified the greatest value, and we see it elsewhere in the
1273
+puzzle, NOT as the top value, but as the value being subtracted, or the
1274
+result, and we are not being taken from, we know some things.
1275
+
1276
+For example, let's say C is the greatest digit (9 in base 10), and E <<
1277
+T:
1278
+
1279
+```
1280
+ PHANT
1281
+ - OMME
1282
+ =====
1283
+ NACE
1284
+```
1285
+
1286
+See the N-M=C ?
1287
+
1288
+Because we know C is 9:
1289
+
1290
+ * N << C (everything not C is less than C (9))
1291
+ * therefore also: N << M
1292
+
1293
+Watch what happens when we plug in values:
1294
+
1295
+ * N = 1: 11-9=2
1296
+ * N = 2: 12-9=3
1297
+ * N = 3: 13-9=4
1298
+ * N = 4: 14-9=5
1299
+ * ... through N=7
1300
+
1301
+Notice how when N is 1, M is 2... 2, 3... 3, 4... ?
1302
+
1303
+In this scenario: N is EXACTLY ONE LESS than M: N < M.
1304
+
1305
+But only when we KNOW what the greatest digit in a base is and know the
1306
+state of whether or not we are being taken from.
1307
+
1308
+## SUBTRACT BY KNOWN OFFSET FROM GREATEST DIGIT, GET OFFSET INCREMENT
1309
+
1310
+Related to the above strategy, on "Subtract by greatest digit, get
1311
+increment", it actually applies to more than just the greatest digit: so
1312
+long as you know its distance from the greatest digit, and the take
1313
+situation of the subtraction, you can derive the offset of increment.
1314
+
1315
+A chart of the first few (I typically don't go any further than this out
1316
+of practicality, although the pattern persists beyond this point of
1317
+reporting):
1318
+
1319
+| digit | being taken from | not being taken from |
1320
+| ---------- | ---------------- | -------------------- |
1321
+| greatest | 0 | 1 |
1322
+| greatest-1 | 1 | 2 |
1323
+| greatest-2 | 2 | 3 |
1324
+
1325
+For example, let's say R is the second greatest digit (A in base 12), and
1326
+let's say we know that C << R:
1327
+
1328
+```
1329
+ SECOND
1330
+ - GRADE
1331
+ ======
1332
+ MATHS
1333
+```
1334
+
1335
+See the C-R=A? With R being the known second greatest digit, and knowing
1336
+that C is somewhat less than R, that means C is borrowing.
1337
+
1338
+Looking at the table, depending on the take situation, we can determine
1339
+that C is exactly 1 or 2 values less than A, potentially offing up nice
1340
+reduction of possibilities for both C and A.
1341
+
1342
+Should it turn out C is being taken from, then C is exactly 1 less than
1343
+A.
1344
+
1345
+If C is not being taken from, then C is exactly 2 less than A.
1346
+
1347
+## DIVISOR/MULTIPLICATION RELATIONS
1348
+
1349
+Since letter divisions are but a long division, if we were to look at one
1350
+(base 10) as purely numbers:
1351
+
1352
+```
1353
+ 2565
1354
+ +---------
1355
+27846 | 71447493
1356
+ -55692
1357
+ =====
1358
+ 157554
1359
+ -139230
1360
+ ======
1361
+ 183249
1362
+ -167076
1363
+ ======
1364
+ 161733
1365
+ -139230
1366
+ ======
1367
+ 22503
1368
+```
1369
+
1370
+Do you see that the divisor (27846) x 2 = 55692, divisor x 5 = 139230,
1371
+and divisor x 6 = 167076?
1372
+
1373
+Pay specific attention to the subtrahend of 55692. Notice how it is
1374
+exactly the same length in digits as the divisor (5 digits). This allows
1375
+us to make an important comparison:
1376
+
1377
+ * divisor (27846) x 1 = the divisor itself (27846).
1378
+ * any similarly-lengthed subtrahend as the divisor is NOT less than the divisor.
1379
+ * so we can make a comparison between the first digits of the divisor and that of the subtrahend.
1380
+
1381
+In a fully enlettered puzzle:
1382
+
1383
+```
1384
+ TECE
1385
+ +---------
1386
+TMGNC | MSNNMNXL
1387
+ -EECXT
1388
+ =====
1389
+ SEMEEN
1390
+ -SLXTLR
1391
+ ======
1392
+ SGLTNX
1393
+ -SCMRMC
1394
+ ======
1395
+ SCSMLL
1396
+ -SLXTLR
1397
+ ======
1398
+ TTERL
1399
+```
1400
+
1401
+In the case of TMGNC (the divisor) and EECXT (that first subtrahend),
1402
+specifically their first letters (T and E), because they are both the
1403
+same length (5 letters), we can establish the following relation:
1404
+
1405
+ * T << E (T is somewhat less than E)
1406
+ * by extension, the minuend the subtrahend is being subtracted from, has to be at least the same size or larger than the subtrahend. So, similarly, in TMGNC (the divisor) and MSNNM (5 letters), T << M (T is somewhat less than M.
1407
+
1408
+This strategy, making use of multiplication, can only be used on puzzles
1409
+where multiplication has not been restricted.
1410
+
1411
+## INVERTED SUBTRACTION PAIRS
1412
+
1413
+Given the following puzzle:
1414
+
1415
+```
1416
+ SETX
1417
+ +---------
1418
+EXEXT | XSSEMLMS
1419
+ -EXEXT
1420
+ =====
1421
+ LSECEL
1422
+ -TXMXCR
1423
+ ======
1424
+ SMCXLM
1425
+ -SSXSGN
1426
+ ======
1427
+ EMMELS
1428
+ -ELCLTG
1429
+ ======
1430
+ NSTRL
1431
+
1432
+base: 10
1433
+```
1434
+
1435
+Have you ever noticed patterns like the following:
1436
+
1437
+ * M-T=E (1st row, right-most)
1438
+ * E-M=M (2nd row, 3rd from left)
1439
+
1440
+or:
1441
+
1442
+ * X-E=L (1st row, left-most)
1443
+ * E-X=C (1st row, 2nd from right)
1444
+
1445
+Basically, two different subtractions that match the following pattern:
1446
+
1447
+ * top letter in one is a middle/bottom letter in the other
1448
+ * middle/bottom letter in the first is the top in the other
1449
+
1450
+... as is the case in those two identified examples: M (top), E (bottom)
1451
+and E(top), M (middle/bottom)
1452
+
1453
+or: X (top), E (middle) and then E (top), X (middle).
1454
+
1455
+When you have scenarios such as this we can assume something about the
1456
+sum of the OTHER two letters involved:
1457
+
1458
+ * (E,X) C + L
1459
+ * (E,M) M + T
1460
+
1461
+There are actually three possible sums, all dependent upon the state of
1462
+the takes:
1463
+
1464
+| no take from either | take from one but not the other | take from both |
1465
+| ------------------- | ------------------------------- | -------------- |
1466
+| the base | the base - 1 | the base - 2 |
1467
+
1468
+So, in the case of M-T=E and E-M=M, because M-T=E is on the right edge,
1469
+we know it cannot be taken from, so then we only need to determine the
1470
+take situation for E-M=M. Therefore, there are TWO potential answers for
1471
+M+T:
1472
+
1473
+ * (no takes) M + T = 10
1474
+ * (one take) M + T = 9
1475
+
1476
+... since the base of the puzzle is 10, 10 is the sum when there are no
1477
+takes involved on the two subtractions. For other bases, it is still "one
1478
+zero", but obviously the quantity of that base.
1479
+
1480
+The other identified pair in this example; the case of X-E=L and E-X=C,
1481
+both are within a line, so no immediate clues as to certain states on
1482
+take/no take. Therefore:
1483
+
1484
+ * (no takes) C + L = 10
1485
+ * (one take) C + L = 9
1486
+ * (two takes) C + L = 8
1487
+
1488
+This tends to be a nice way of accruing additional clues not revealed
1489
+in more common methods, increasing the chances of increasing letter
1490
+connectivity and deriving an eventual solution.
1491
+
1492
+## INVERTED SUBTRACTION RELATIONAL PAIRS
1493
+
1494
+Similar to the above strategy, what happens if you identify two
1495
+subtraction pairs, but instead of involving the same symbols, involves a
1496
+pair of symbols based on a known relation (off by one, in either
1497
+direction).
1498
+
1499
+The same core logic applies (factoring in the take situation on both).
1500
+
1501
+But we can also add additional influence based on the relation of the
1502
+symbols being modulated.
1503
+
1504
+For instance, if we were to have a known relation of `R < C`, and we had
1505
+the following:
1506
+
1507
+```
1508
+ X C
1509
+ -P -G
1510
+ = =
1511
+ R X
1512
+```
1513
+
1514
+Because we know R is one less than C, and the R is the one below the top,
1515
+with the C on the top, the value is INCREASED by 1.
1516
+
1517
+If instead we had:
1518
+
1519
+```
1520
+ X R
1521
+ -P -G
1522
+ = =
1523
+ C X
1524
+```
1525
+
1526
+Because we know R is one less than C, and the C is the one below the top,
1527
+with the R on top, the value is DECREASED by 1.
1528
+
1529
+So, rolling out with known borrow-takes:
1530
+
1531
+```
1532
+ xXx >Cx because R < C, and the larger of the pair is on the top:
1533
+ -P -G P + G = base - takes (no takes), PLUS 1
1534
+ = =
1535
+ R X
1536
+```
1537
+
1538
+```
1539
+ xXx >Rx because R < C, and the smaller of the pair is on the top:
1540
+ -P -G P + G = base - takes (no takes), MINUS 1
1541
+ = =
1542
+ C X
1543
+```
1544
+
1545
+## SINGLE-LETTER SUBTRAHEND DETERMINATION
1546
+
1547
+NOTE: Mostly useful for the "solve4" category of letter division puzzles
1548
+providing a conducive scenario to utilize this strategy.
1549
+
1550
+Let's look at the following puzzle (base 12):
1551
+
1552
+```
1553
+ ????????
1554
+ +---------
1555
+PTPXQ | NFNXHNXP
1556
+ -PTPXQ
1557
+ =====
1558
+ EHFXEN
1559
+ -EQETEF
1560
+ ======
1561
+ EXTXPX
1562
+ - PTPXQ
1563
+ ======
1564
+ FNJHUP
1565
+ -FGHJEP
1566
+ ======
1567
+ ??????
1568
+
1569
+base: 12
1570
+```
1571
+
1572
+With a current range of:
1573
+
1574
+```
1575
+ E = { 1, }
1576
+ F = { 2, }
1577
+ G = { 4, A, }
1578
+ H = { 8, }
1579
+ J = { 3, }
1580
+ N = { B }
1581
+ P = { 9, }
1582
+ Q = { 7, }
1583
+ R = { 4, A, }
1584
+ T = { 6, }
1585
+ U = { 5, }
1586
+ X = { 0, }
1587
+```
1588
+
1589
+As you can see, we are between G and R for the values of 4 and A. The
1590
+problem here is that R does not appear anywhere in the letter division,
1591
+meaning we have to determine G to determine R. There exists yet another
1592
+problem with G, it only appears as the last subtrahend before an unknown
1593
+remainder; we cannot determine it through natural puzzle-solving means.
1594
+
1595
+There are a few ways to go about this:
1596
+
1597
+ * last subtrahend divided by divisor
1598
+ * finding largest possible value (with factors of divisor) to subtract last minuend by
1599
+ * use the multiplication table and manually carry out the chain of multiplications (propagating carries as generated), building the subtrahend one value at a time (until we reach the letter in question)
1600
+
1601
+Going with the first method is simple, although depending on the values
1602
+known may be impossible or not be as efficient as the second method. We
1603
+start by turning the divisor and last subtrahend into numbers:
1604
+
1605
+ * PTPXQ = 96907
1606
+ * FGHJEP = 2G8319
1607
+
1608
+Since we do not know G yet, we leave it as-is. Now we can substitute G as
1609
+both 4 and A and try dividing by the divisor to see if we get a whole
1610
+number or not:
1611
+
1612
+ * 248319 / 96907 = 3 <- Is clearly correct, therefore G is equal to 4 and R is equal to A.
1613
+ * 2A8319 / 96907 = 3.76424...
1614
+
1615
+We are done with the first method. Now let's try the second method, which
1616
+requires more work and is very similar, but may come in handy when
1617
+lacking some numbers. First let's start off by turning the divisor and
1618
+last minuend into numbers:
1619
+
1620
+ * PTPXQ = 96907
1621
+ * FNJHUP = 2B3859
1622
+
1623
+Now let's make a factor list for PTPXQ:
1624
+
1625
+ * 96907 * 1 = 96907
1626
+ * 96907 * 2 = 171612
1627
+ * 96907 * 3 = 248319
1628
+ * 96907 * 4 = 323024
1629
+ * 96907 * 5 = 3B992B
1630
+ * 96907 * 6 = 494636
1631
+ * 96907 * 7 = 56B341
1632
+ * 96907 * 8 = 646048
1633
+ * 96907 * 9 = 720953
1634
+ * 96907 * A = 7B765A
1635
+ * 96907 * B = 892365
1636
+
1637
+From this factor list we need to see the highest number we can subtract
1638
+our last minuend (FNJHUP) by. Clearly 248319 from that group is smaller
1639
+than FNJUP and is the highest possible number. So that is the last
1640
+subtrahend used to get the remainder meaning G is equal 4!
1641
+
1642
+If G is equal to 4 then R is equal to A.
1643
+
1644
+## CHECKING YOUR RESULTS
1645
+
1646
+While things like the solution must be qualitatively evaluated, there are
1647
+a number of simple checks that can be done (especially for your key and
1648
+verify files) to determine whether or not you are on the right path.
1649
+
1650
+On lab46, you can run the **pzlchk** tool in the directory where your
1651
+puzzle files reside, and it will perform a number of tests, reporting its
1652
+findings to you in color-coded fashion.
1653
+
1654
+To use it:
1655
+
1656
+ * log into lab46
1657
+ * change into the directory where your pctX.puzzle files are located (key, solution, verify)
1658
+ * run the **pzlchk** tool with the appropriate arguments:
1659
+ * first argument is your class DESIG
1660
+ * second argument is your pctX project
1661
+ * analyze the results:
1662
+ * green and cyan indicates a level of acceptable status or success
1663
+ * red indicates an error
1664
+
1665
+```
1666
+lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ pzlchk DESIG pctX
1667
+```
1668
+
1669
+For example, here's what a fully working, submitted output would look like:
1670
+
1671
+```
1672
+lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ pzlchk DESIG pctX
1673
+Checking DESIG/pctX data files ...
1674
+ > checking key file ...
1675
+ > key file exists: pctX.puzzle.key
1676
+ > key is of correct format
1677
+ > key is of correct length
1678
+ > key matches an entry in the MANIFEST
1679
+ > checking solution file ...
1680
+ > solution file exists: pctX.puzzle.solution
1681
+ > solution file meets minimum length requirements
1682
+ > checking verify file ...
1683
+ > verify file exists: pctX.puzzle.verify
1684
+ > verify is NOT of incorrect format
1685
+
1686
+Checking DESIG/pctX submission ... submitted on 20210202-211205
1687
+```
1688
+
1689
+## SUBMISSION
1690
+
1691
+By successfully performing this project, you should be submitting files
1692
+that satisfy the following requirements:
1693
+
1694
+ * a `pctX.puzzle.key` file formatted as indicated elsewhere in this project document
1695
+ * a `pctX.puzzle.solution` file containing organized and informative detailing of your path to solution
1696
+ * a `pctX.puzzle.verify` file containing the appropriate verification information
1697
+
1698
+NOTE: Please substitute the actual project number in place of the 'X' in
1699
+pctX.
1700
+
1701
+To submit this project to me using the **submit** tool, run the following
1702
+command at your lab46 prompt:
1703
+
1704
+```
1705
+lab46:~/src/SEMESTER/DESIG/pctX$ submit DESIG pctX pctX.puzzle.key pctX.puzzle.solution pctX.puzzle.verify
1706
+Submitting DESIG project "pctX":
1707
+ -> pctX.puzzle.key(OK)
1708
+ -> pctX.puzzle.solution(OK)
1709
+ -> pctX.puzzle.verify(OK)
1710
+
1711
+SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED
1712
+```
1713
+
1714
+NOTE: "DESIG" here is your class designation. It can be something like
1715
+"cprog", "unix", "data", "discrete", "c4eng". You should know what your
1716
+particular class designation is and substitute it into the submit line
1717
+above.
1718
+
1719
+You should get some sort of confirmation indicating successful submission
1720
+if all went according to plan. If not, check for typos and or locational
1721
+mismatches.
1722
+
1723
+I'll be looking for the following:
1724
+
1725
+```
1726
+XX:pctX:final tally of results (XX/XX)
1727
+*:pctX:puzzle.key file submitted with correct values [#/#] (lower half of one-third)
1728
+*:pctX:puzzle.solution documents discovery of each letter [#/#] (two-thirds)
1729
+*:pctX:puzzle.verify provides verification information [#/#] (upper half of one-third)
1730
+```
1731
+
1732
+Additional points of consideration:
1733
+
1734
+ * if any restrictions are in force and they are ignored in the solving of the problem, up to 50% of credit can be deducted.
1735
+ * if solution is messy and disorganized, up to 50% of credit can be deducted (if I cannot easily tell how you got something).
1736
+
1737
+Point values for the various iterations of pctX projects:
1738
+
1739
+| pct0 | 13 pts | bonus |
1740
+| pct1 | 13 pts | bonus |
1741
+| pct2 | 26 pts | |
1742
+| pct3 | 26 pts | bonus |
1743
+| pct4 | 26 pts | |
1744
+| pct5 | 39 pts | bonus |
1745
+| pct6 | 39 pts | |
1746
+| pct7 | 39 pts | bonus |
1747
+| pct8 | 39 pts | |
1748
+| pct9 | 52 pts | bonus |
1749
+| pctA | 52 pts | |
1750
+| pctB | 52 pts | bonus |
1751
+| pctC | 52 pts | |
1752
+| pctD | 52 pts | bonus |
1753
+| pctE | 52 pts | bonus |
1754
+| bwp1 | 39 pts | bonus |
1755
+| bwp2 | 52 pts | bonus |
haas/spring2026/common/projects/wcpX.md
... ...
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
1
+# WEEKLY CLASS PARTICIPATION (WCPX)
2
+
3
+## OVERVIEW
4
+
5
+Each week, you have the ability to earn class participation credit by
6
+performing any of the available activities (for some amount of points)
7
+per week within the stated constraints, in order to attain a given point
8
+threshold (varying from week to week or as a general progression
9
+throughout the semester).
10
+
11
+## BACKGROUND
12
+
13
+Measuring participation fulfills a vital role of gauging individual
14
+involvement and interactivity in on-going class activities, not just
15
+their ability to perform assigned projects.
16
+
17
+Being exposed to and interacting with the subject matter helps to improve
18
+understanding, and eventually fluency, yet the trends these days seem to
19
+involve more and more people only putting forth effort for a class DURING
20
+said class (often at the expense of the actual in-class activity going
21
+on).
22
+
23
+Some may think it is time well spent, but when I find myself constantly
24
+repeating myself days, weeks, even months later, it is clear that
25
+something needs to be done in order to improve individual participation
26
+in the course.
27
+
28
+## PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES
29
+
30
+The following are a list of available activities, along with current
31
+weekly claim caps, and point values that you can perform for
32
+participation credit in a given week.
33
+
34
+Watch this space, as new activities may be added, or old ones obsoleted
35
+(either conditionally or entirely), along with tweaks to claim caps and
36
+point values.
37
+
38
+| attribute | description | cap | points per | week available |
39
+| --------- | --------------------------- | --- | ---------- | -------------- |
40
+| discord# | active on class discord | 6 | 2pts | 1+ |
41
+| early | early submission (3+ days) | 1 | 2pts | 1+ |
42
+| repo | 4+ commits to repository | 1 | 2pts | 1+ |
43
+| present# | physically present | 2 | 1pts | 7+ |
44
+
45
+You will see that, in a normal week a TOTAL of 16-18 points are possible
46
+(depending on particular attribute criteria)
47
+
48
+Each week I will require some subset of the above-stated activities to be
49
+done for participation, giving you choices on how you'd like to earn this
50
+credit. Depending on the combination, I may consider participation
51
+activities done in excess of the weekly cap as some form of bonus
52
+(applied to the participation component).
53
+
54
+NOTE: The eligibility for claiming a `discord#` attribute is based on
55
+on-topic, on-going interactions on the class discord channels. Direct
56
+Messages in Discord do NOT count.
57
+
58
+E-mails do NOT count toward participation.
59
+
60
+Part of your responsibility in the class is to participate in the
61
+learning environment with others.
62
+
63
+During week 1, since we are just getting started, `#generalchat` messages
64
+will be included in the list of acceptable participation sources (but
65
+will only be included for consideration in the first week).
66
+
67
+Pertinent interactions on `#puzzl-y-tastic` will also count towards
68
+acceptable participation sources.
69
+
70
+Cap on bonus points: one can only earn AT MOST HALF the stated weekly
71
+points in bonus form (or 2, if the halfway value is less than 2).
72
+
73
+For `#discord`, the time threshold between earnable points starts at 192
74
+minutes, and will increment by 192 with each passing earned attribute
75
+throughout the given week.
76
+
77
+Only posts (or accumulations of posts) of at least 32 words will be
78
+considered eligible. Accumulated triggers will only come to fruition once
79
+the necessary time lapse has transpired.
80
+
81
+wcp activity analysis is automated: the **wcp** tool will show you a
82
+daily report of what you've currently accumulated (updated once per day,
83
+sometime around midnight).
84
+
85
+## WCPX REPORTS
86
+
87
+Each week there will be a `wcp#` report started for you to view your
88
+accumulated participation credit, which can be viewed using the `wcp`
89
+tool (on lab46).
90
+
91
+Failure to adequately participate under the terms of the available
92
+attributes by the deadline will result in lost credit: remembering and
93
+time management are important skills as well!
94
+
95
+The report will start on Thursday, and close by the end of that week
96
+Wednesday. You have between the open and close of a reporting period to
97
+perform your recognized participation activities.
98
+
99
+## WEEKLY POINT REQUIREMENTS
100
+
101
+Following will be a list of participation point tallies you will need to
102
+accumulate in a given week to get full credit:
103
+
104
+| week | report | opens on | closes | total points needed |
105
+| NUM | NAME | | on | |
106
+| ---- | ------ | -------- | -------- | ------------------- |
107
+| 1 | wcp1 | 20260122 | 20260128 | 2 |
108
+| 2 | wcp2 | 20260129 | 20260204 | 2 |
109
+| 3 | wcp3 | 20260205 | 20260211 | 4 |
110
+| 4 | wcp4 | 20260212 | 20260218 | 4 |
111
+| 5 | wcp5 | 20260219 | 20260225 | 4 |
112
+| 6 | wcp6 | 20260226 | 20260304 | 4 |
113
+| 7 | wcp7 | 20260305 | 20260311 | 8 |
114
+| 8 | wcp8 | 20260312 | 20260325 | 8 |
115
+| 9 | wcp9 | 20260326 | 20260401 | 8 |
116
+| A | wcpA | 20260402 | 20260408 | 8 |
117
+| B | wcpB | 20260409 | 20260415 | 8 |
118
+| C | wcpC | 20260416 | 20260422 | 8 |
119
+| D | wcpD | 20260423 | 20260429 | 8 |
120
+| E | wcpE | 20260430 | 20260506 | 8 |
121
+
122
+There are no make-ups. If you miss performing an activity, you can either
123
+make up the credit by other participation activities, or even make up for
124
+lost credit with bonus points in other weeks.
125
+
126
+## VIEWING YOUR CURRENT WEEK PARTICIPATION REPORT
127
+
128
+The sanctioned participation activities, when performed, leave a digital
129
+trail, which I capture.
130
+
131
+The spirit of this activity is that you are making genuine and honest
132
+contributions to participation each and every week.
133
+
134
+### USING WCP
135
+
136
+If you are within the report window for a particular week (say, week1, so
137
+the `wcp1` participation report is active), you can view your report
138
+using the `wcp` tool.
139
+
140
+It takes 2 arguments:
141
+
142
+ * the class DESIG you are checking the report on (eg: c4eng, cprog, unix)
143
+ * the wcpNUM report name (where NUM is `1` for wcp1/week1)
144
+
145
+And you can do so as follows (replace 'DESIG' with your lowercase class
146
+designation, for the appropriate week):
147
+
148
+```
149
+lab46:~$ wcp DESIG wcpNUM
150
+```
151
+
152
+This should bring up the current report, displayed to STDOUT in your
153
+lab46 terminal.
haas/spring2026/common/wcpX.md
... ...
@@ -1,153 +0,0 @@
1
-# WEEKLY CLASS PARTICIPATION (WCPX)
2
-
3
-## OVERVIEW
4
-
5
-Each week, you have the ability to earn class participation credit by
6
-performing any of the available activities (for some amount of points)
7
-per week within the stated constraints, in order to attain a given point
8
-threshold (varying from week to week or as a general progression
9
-throughout the semester).
10
-
11
-## BACKGROUND
12
-
13
-Measuring participation fulfills a vital role of gauging individual
14
-involvement and interactivity in on-going class activities, not just
15
-their ability to perform assigned projects.
16
-
17
-Being exposed to and interacting with the subject matter helps to improve
18
-understanding, and eventually fluency, yet the trends these days seem to
19
-involve more and more people only putting forth effort for a class DURING
20
-said class (often at the expense of the actual in-class activity going
21
-on).
22
-
23
-Some may think it is time well spent, but when I find myself constantly
24
-repeating myself days, weeks, even months later, it is clear that
25
-something needs to be done in order to improve individual participation
26
-in the course.
27
-
28
-## PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES
29
-
30
-The following are a list of available activities, along with current
31
-weekly claim caps, and point values that you can perform for
32
-participation credit in a given week.
33
-
34
-Watch this space, as new activities may be added, or old ones obsoleted
35
-(either conditionally or entirely), along with tweaks to claim caps and
36
-point values.
37
-
38
-| attribute | description | cap | points per | week available |
39
-| --------- | --------------------------- | --- | ---------- | -------------- |
40
-| discord# | active on class discord | 6 | 2pts | 1+ |
41
-| early | early submission (3+ days) | 1 | 2pts | 1+ |
42
-| repo | 4+ commits to repository | 1 | 2pts | 1+ |
43
-| present# | physically present | 2 | 1pts | 7+ |
44
-
45
-You will see that, in a normal week a TOTAL of 16-18 points are possible
46
-(depending on particular attribute criteria)
47
-
48
-Each week I will require some subset of the above-stated activities to be
49
-done for participation, giving you choices on how you'd like to earn this
50
-credit. Depending on the combination, I may consider participation
51
-activities done in excess of the weekly cap as some form of bonus
52
-(applied to the participation component).
53
-
54
-NOTE: The eligibility for claiming a `discord#` attribute is based on
55
-on-topic, on-going interactions on the class discord channels. Direct
56
-Messages in Discord do NOT count.
57
-
58
-E-mails do NOT count toward participation.
59
-
60
-Part of your responsibility in the class is to participate in the
61
-learning environment with others.
62
-
63
-During week 1, since we are just getting started, `#generalchat` messages
64
-will be included in the list of acceptable participation sources (but
65
-will only be included for consideration in the first week).
66
-
67
-Pertinent interactions on `#puzzl-y-tastic` will also count towards
68
-acceptable participation sources.
69
-
70
-Cap on bonus points: one can only earn AT MOST HALF the stated weekly
71
-points in bonus form (or 2, if the halfway value is less than 2).
72
-
73
-For `#discord`, the time threshold between earnable points starts at 192
74
-minutes, and will increment by 192 with each passing earned attribute
75
-throughout the given week.
76
-
77
-Only posts (or accumulations of posts) of at least 32 words will be
78
-considered eligible. Accumulated triggers will only come to fruition once
79
-the necessary time lapse has transpired.
80
-
81
-wcp activity analysis is automated: the **wcp** tool will show you a
82
-daily report of what you've currently accumulated (updated once per day,
83
-sometime around midnight).
84
-
85
-## WCPX REPORTS
86
-
87
-Each week there will be a `wcp#` report started for you to view your
88
-accumulated participation credit, which can be viewed using the `wcp`
89
-tool (on lab46).
90
-
91
-Failure to adequately participate under the terms of the available
92
-attributes by the deadline will result in lost credit: remembering and
93
-time management are important skills as well!
94
-
95
-The report will start on Thursday, and close by the end of that week
96
-Wednesday. You have between the open and close of a reporting period to
97
-perform your recognized participation activities.
98
-
99
-## WEEKLY POINT REQUIREMENTS
100
-
101
-Following will be a list of participation point tallies you will need to
102
-accumulate in a given week to get full credit:
103
-
104
-| week | report | opens on | closes | total points needed |
105
-| NUM | NAME | | on | |
106
-| ---- | ------ | -------- | -------- | ------------------- |
107
-| 1 | wcp1 | 20260122 | 20260128 | 2 |
108
-| 2 | wcp2 | 20260129 | 20260204 | 2 |
109
-| 3 | wcp3 | 20260205 | 20260211 | 4 |
110
-| 4 | wcp4 | 20260212 | 20260218 | 4 |
111
-| 5 | wcp5 | 20260219 | 20260225 | 4 |
112
-| 6 | wcp6 | 20260226 | 20260304 | 4 |
113
-| 7 | wcp7 | 20260305 | 20260311 | 8 |
114
-| 8 | wcp8 | 20260312 | 20260325 | 8 |
115
-| 9 | wcp9 | 20260326 | 20260401 | 8 |
116
-| A | wcpA | 20260402 | 20260408 | 8 |
117
-| B | wcpB | 20260409 | 20260415 | 8 |
118
-| C | wcpC | 20260416 | 20260422 | 8 |
119
-| D | wcpD | 20260423 | 20260429 | 8 |
120
-| E | wcpE | 20260430 | 20260506 | 8 |
121
-
122
-There are no make-ups. If you miss performing an activity, you can either
123
-make up the credit by other participation activities, or even make up for
124
-lost credit with bonus points in other weeks.
125
-
126
-## VIEWING YOUR CURRENT WEEK PARTICIPATION REPORT
127
-
128
-The sanctioned participation activities, when performed, leave a digital
129
-trail, which I capture.
130
-
131
-The spirit of this activity is that you are making genuine and honest
132
-contributions to participation each and every week.
133
-
134
-### USING WCP
135
-
136
-If you are within the report window for a particular week (say, week1, so
137
-the `wcp1` participation report is active), you can view your report
138
-using the `wcp` tool.
139
-
140
-It takes 2 arguments:
141
-
142
- * the class DESIG you are checking the report on (eg: c4eng, cprog, unix)
143
- * the wcpNUM report name (where NUM is `1` for wcp1/week1)
144
-
145
-And you can do so as follows (replace 'DESIG' with your lowercase class
146
-designation, for the appropriate week):
147
-
148
-```
149
-lab46:~$ wcp DESIG wcpNUM
150
-```
151
-
152
-This should bring up the current report, displayed to STDOUT in your
153
-lab46 terminal.