The Times Numerical Listener Puzzle

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:28 am

I'm sure a few of you out there must be into The Times Listener puzzles. Howard got me into them this year. Also every 3 months there's a numerical one which is usually pretty awesome and the next one is out today. Just thought I'd give you a heads up as its probably worth a look

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:23 am

Dinos Sfyris wrote:I'm sure a few of you out there must be into The Times Listener puzzles. Howard got me into them this year. Also every 3 months there's a numerical one which is usually pretty awesome and the next one is out today. Just thought I'd give you a heads up as its probably worth a look

Take a pic, go on.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:15 pm

I lack both the tools and the know-how. I'll let Howard do it when he returns to the UK tomorrow. Or you could just delve into your pocket money and buy a copy of The Times, maybe? Max and Harry could use the rest of the pages to make a ninja stealth lair!

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:12 pm

I had a look at it in the pub last night, and I didn't understand even how to start.

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:50 pm

Only a few possible values of O

Not clear from preamble, but I'll initially assume dominoes don't cross bars

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:30 am

I'm certainly finding it harder than the February or May puzzles, both of which took about a day. I'm sure dominoes will be allowed to cross bars.

Agreed, not many options for O. And not many for A, D or C either.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:21 pm

Got the first few entries in the grid now, and am considering changing my mind about dominoes crossing the bars.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:49 am

Dominoes definitely do cross bars.

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:02 am

could anyone copy this in? cheers.

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:08 am

Kieran Child wrote:could anyone copy this in? cheers.

http://crosswordclub.timesonline.co.uk/ ... umber=4049

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:11 am

http://picasaweb.google.com/howards46/L ... 1629570386

Courtesy of Howard.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:20 am

wtf is that? I don't understand the instructions at all!

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:38 am

What he said. Are the clues algebra or substitution?
If A was 3, would AA be 9 or 33?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:39 am

Kieran Child wrote:What he said. Are the clues algebra or substitution?
If A was 3, would AA be 9 or 33?

I'm guessing 9, as otherwise the plus signs in the clues are utterly redundant. But, fuck knows.

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:49 am

Algebra.

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:54 am

Point Jon. Damn being used to all those
TWO
TWO+
-----
FOUR

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:14 am

It all does make sense, and it does work out.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:18 am

I'm getting there... Will keep it with me on the train to York tomorrow.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:54 am

Dinos Sfyris wrote:I'm getting there... Will keep it with me on the train to York tomorrow.

Keep at it, Dinos. Interested to know what the next two letters are that you're going for after B, and how you're going to get them.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:02 pm

Finished

Very satisfying little puzzle. Trickiest bit was getting started. If anyone's stuck or wants any tips to get going just pm me (or Howard)

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:11 pm

I'm done too, though I appear to be the last one. Will help people in PMs too but I have a tendency not to notice them there

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:45 pm

Dinos Sfyris wrote:Very satisfying little puzzle.

Agrred. Can't wait for end of November now.

Well done, Dinos and Kieran.

Alice Moore · Post by **Alice Moore** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:55 pm

I've only just started this and am moving very slowly indeed, but I have some questions...

1. Do any of the letters represent zero?

2. Are any numbers duplicated (ie two letters both representing the same number)? It says grid solutions aren't duplicated, but doesn't seem to specify re letter-numbers.

3. Are the dominoes arranged as they would be if you were playing a game? Which would mean, I think, that a three-figure number containing only digits 0-6 would have to contain a repetition (because dominoes are always placed with adjacent edges having numbers in common)?

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:37 pm

Alice Moore wrote:I've only just started this and am moving very slowly indeed, but I have some questions...

1. Do any of the letters represent zero?

2. Are any numbers duplicated (ie two letters both representing the same number)? It says grid solutions aren't duplicated, but doesn't seem to specify re letter-numbers.

3. Are the dominoes arranged as they would be if you were playing a game? Which would mean, I think, that a three-figure number containing only digits 0-6 would have to contain a repetition (because dominoes are always placed with adjacent edges having numbers in common)?

Hi Alice.

Your first two questions are answered in the first sentence in the puzzle description - The letters used in the clues represent different positive integers less than 100

The answer to your third question is NO.

I'm PMing you the answer to your hidden question. So if you like you can edit that question out of your post.

Alice Moore · Post by **Alice Moore** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:47 pm

Thanks Howard, much appreciated.

Howard Somerset wrote:Your first two questions are answered in the first sentence in the puzzle description - The letters used in the clues represent different positive integers less than 100

I must be missing something, as this doesn't tell me whether zero is included... unless you say zero isn't an integer, which I'm pretty sure depends on your definition of integer - some people include it in the set, and some don't. But I guess maybe the most common assumption is that it isn't.

The reason I asked was that someone above was talking about the various possible candidates for zero, which puzzled me as I saw no reason to assume zero was (or wasn't) included...

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:29 pm

Alice Moore wrote:I must be missing something, as this doesn't tell me whether zero is included... unless you say zero isn't an integer, which I'm pretty sure depends on your definition of integer - some people include it in the set, and some don't. But I guess maybe the most common assumption is that it isn't.

Everyone counts zero as an integer. You're thinking of natural numbers, which usually don't include zero. Usually the term "non-negative integer" is used if zero is to be included.

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:00 pm

Alice Moore wrote:Thanks Howard, much appreciated.

Howard Somerset wrote:Your first two questions are answered in the first sentence in the puzzle description - The letters used in the clues represent different positive integers less than 100
I must be missing something, as this doesn't tell me whether zero is included... unless you say zero isn't an integer, which I'm pretty sure depends on your definition of integer - some people include it in the set, and some don't. But I guess maybe the most common assumption is that it isn't.

The reason I asked was that someone above was talking about the various possible candidates for zero, which puzzled me as I saw no reason to assume zero was (or wasn't) included...

Positive is defined as greater than zero.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:27 pm

Peter Mabey wrote:Positive is defined as greater than zero.

Except when it isn't.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 12:18 pm

Howard Somerset wrote:Can't wait for end of November now.

We need no longer wait! The next Numerical Listener Crossword is here in today's Times, available at all good newsagents for £1.50.

Alternatively if you're a cheapskate ask Howard nicely and I'm sure he'll e-mail you the grid and clues.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:00 pm

Howard and I have just about finished this one. Completed the grid and found the hint, but not quite sure how to proceed...

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:30 pm

New one out today. Well worth a look

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:31 pm

...And finished

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:51 pm

One of the best, and I've been doing them since the early 70s. Great finish.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:35 pm

I'd like to see some pictures of 70's Howard

I reckon you should throw a massive 70th birthday bash (or 69th, whichever suits!)

with retro pics of Howard from all eras.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:38 pm

Dinos Sfyris wrote:I'd like to see some pictures of 70's Howard I reckon you should throw a massive 70th birthday bash (or 69th, whichever suits!) with retro pics of Howard from all eras.

Seconded.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:15 am

Dinos Sfyris wrote:...And finished

Oh bugger! We got that final twist wrong, Dinos.

But I think that the solution we came up with was at least as good as the official one.

Only just seen this request for 70s pics. Might be hard finding some. 40s and 50s might be easier.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat May 29, 2010 3:05 pm

The next Numerical Listener is out today. Just finished my exam and about to go and buy my copy now!

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat May 29, 2010 4:28 pm

Dinos Sfyris wrote:The next Numerical Listener is out today. Just finished my exam and about to go and buy my copy now!

Text me if you get anywhere. I've just managed one entry, while playing Monopoly with three of my grandchildren.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:00 pm

You managed any more squares, Howard? Me and Jack are both long finished by now

Peter Mabey · Post by **Peter Mabey** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:16 pm

I found a solution for one clue, but had to google for the complete set of possibilities.

No difficulty in completing puzzle, once I had these.