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This one looks incredibly time consuming and difficult so I won't be wasting much effort on it. It seems that a computer program would have to be written to cut down the number crunching - something I wouldn't have a clue about. However, can anyone suggest where the best place to start this beast would be - assuming I decide to pick up the paper again!

unclued,

I've written a program to help me solve this, but I'm still stuck! There's a certain inconsistency that I can't resolve. I must be missing something.

The best ones to start with are E and K (only 1 possibility for each).

Thank Demeter but I can't get any enthusiasm for this - I need to get a life!

demeter

Surely there must be at least two possibilities for E, as the lengths are 1,2,2.
My program has produced 4.

ollie

Ollie,

Yes, you're right.

I only have 2 possibilities for E, though: I, PZ, WT or I, WT, PZ.

Maybe the fact that I'm missing the other 2 has to do with why I'm getting stuck elsewhere. Something wrong with my code, presumably.

demeter

I have
I,PZ,WT
I,WT,PZ
W,SZ,UL
W,UL,SZ

What program are you using? Is it possible to solve just using Excel?

unclued

The code is quite simple.
I don't use M$ products if avoidable, so have no idea about Excel. Openoffice Calc proved too tedious because of the letter transformations - it will do base conversion, but changing to ZAB...W was messy.
Some progress solving by inspection, but, at the moment, I can't see how anyone could do it just with a calculator (or spreadsheet).
Solver's blog should be interesting.

Ah!

Thanks so much Ollie.

Just realised that my coding error was (a 'fence-post' error: only searching up to 1 below the maximum possible value)

Am a bit late in the day coming to this one (LC 4256). Canyou / anyone confirm that the K solution is encoded: RNH / FA / T ? A yes or no should not give too much away ... I am not "au fait" with Excel sheets and writing computer programmes (!) so, if anyone knows a logical way in to this puzzle, please give me a nudge ! I am fully prepared for a hard slog i-e- still up for the challenge ...