Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? This is a meta puzzle for those of you out there who can remember back to high school algebra class! [@MikeyG and @hoover, I'm looking at you!] And I am sorry if this puts some of you off but you will actually have to do some mathematics in order to get to the answer to the meta, which is a mathematician with a ten-letter name. Here's a free hint to get you started on the meta: the image on Crosshare will help.
The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Laura M wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 3:16 am
That was impressive! And fun!
I am sooooo relieved to hear you say "fun"!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
CPJohnson wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:03 am
For those of us USA people whose last quadratic equation manipulation was long, long ago.....is factorising the same thing as factoring?
Update: yeah, I guessed the answer with help from Mr Google but was determined to backsolve for the mechanism. It came to me yesterday afternoon while watching the Oppenheimer movie!! Something “clicked” in my brain while seeing all those equations on the big screen ! Aha, the meta-nism is so simple yet elegant!
Last edited by Ergcat on Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
Moat crossed, castle weakly entered (absolutely not stormed). Needed a push from @lbray53 and some googling to relearn some math skills, but finally got it. Thanks Ben! Although I curse the name of REDACTED for inspiring Ben to do this puzzle.
lbray53 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:04 am
Crossed the MOAT! Fun one. I should have been done much sooner. I crushed the math but struggled with counting difficulties!
Me too! Exactly (I have about 10 entries)
So I just plain couldn't get my meta based on "Up the Down Staircase" to work.
My challenge it to constructors is to make a meta where the meta, theme or metanism is "Up the Down Staircase".
The math was easy, but still working on getting to the answer from there.
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
Aha, the meta-nism is so simple yet elegant!
