Solve Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery

  • MHB
  • Thread starter sadsadsadsa
  • Start date
In summary, Bob has discovered an old box in his granny's cellar containing encrypted messages. His granny, who used to use a secret cipher to correspond with her boyfriend, explains the main principle of the cipher to Bob. She tells him to divide the code into two equal parts and verify that both parts contain the same letters, corresponding to a pre-order and in-order of a binary tree. She also mentions that each letter only occurs once in each part, making it easier to decode. However, she refuses to help Bob any further, still enjoying the challenge of deciphering messages. Bob is determined to understand the cipher in order to communicate with Alice, and seeks help in understanding the message.
  • #1
sadsadsadsa
16
0
Bob has found in his granny's cellar an old box with strange messages inside. Most of them are almost unreadable since the paper is very old. His granny is very happy since she believed this box was lost. she remembers when she was a student in mathematics, she was using a secret cipher to correspond with her boyfriend. The box contains some encrypted messages. One of the messages is still readable: IEHMTALVOHETMAIVLOBob is fascinated and asks his granny to decrypt it, but the old lady only accepts to explain him the main principle of the cipher: `` if you want to read it you must deserve it’’, she said. ``But it is simple: divide the code into two equal parts and verify that both parts contain the same letters. The first part corresponds to a pre-order while the second corresponds to an in-order of a binary tree. Find the related binary tree and read it in reverse post-order.’’

After reading carefully the message she adds: You are lucky, here each letter occurs only once in each part. I remember we invented a specific code when there were several occurrences of the same letter with possible ambiguity.`Bob is quite confused and asks more details but she refuses to help him more. She still likes to play. Bob would like to understand well in order to use this cipher for sending messages to Alice. Can you help him understand this message?
 
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  • #2
Erm...
HTAMEVOLI?
 
  • #3
I like Serena said:
Erm...
HTAMEVOLI?
For the related binary tree, I get:
I
EL
HMVO
TA

They want the reverse post-order, so ILOVEMATH.
 
  • #4
sadsadsadsa said:
Bob has found...

Enough time has passed that you may now post your solution. (Yes)
 

1. What is the background of Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery?

Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery is a fictional mystery that involves a hidden code left behind by Bob's grandmother. The code is believed to hold valuable information or clues that can help solve the mystery.

2. How difficult is it to solve the cipher in Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery?

The difficulty of solving the cipher depends on the complexity of the code and the skills of the codebreaker. Some ciphers can be relatively easy to crack, while others may require advanced knowledge and techniques.

3. What are some common types of ciphers used in Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery?

Some common types of ciphers that may be used in Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery include substitution ciphers, transposition ciphers, and polyalphabetic ciphers. Each type of cipher uses different methods to encrypt and decrypt messages.

4. Can I use a computer program to help solve the cipher in Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery?

Yes, there are many computer programs and online tools available that can help with codebreaking. However, some ciphers may require manual decryption and cannot be solved solely with a computer program.

5. Is there a specific method or strategy for solving the cipher in Bob's Granny's Old Cipher Mystery?

There is no one set method or strategy for solving ciphers, as each one may require a different approach. However, some common strategies include frequency analysis, trial and error, and working backwards from known information.

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