Chapter 1

M: Can't believe we have to work, even though School's shut coz of the snow.

E: Bored yet? Why don't you solve this?

The image comprises a square eight-by-eight grid of symbols. The symbols are letters, numbers and punctuation marks. The symbols in the first line are: W H A T I S T H
Next line: E E Q U A T I E
Next line: H U S 2 X P O U
Next line: T N A L S L N N
Next line: O I U ? 0 U X I
Next line: T M Q E 1 S S Q
Next line: N D E R A U Q U
Final line: O I T U L O S E

The image above contains a hidden question. Please enter the answer to the question in the box below. If the answer is a number please enter it using numerals rather than words.

To deter guessing without thinking, we ask that you also solve the following simple arithmetic problem before checking your answer:

What is 8 × 5 - 2?

This problem was first solved on Mon 13th January at 4:01:20pm

Alan Turing Cryptography Competition 2025 is organised by the The Department of Mathematics at The University of Manchester.
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