Cant get around this puzzle

[+Team Jeddell]

Hi,

 

I'm not good with puzzle at the best of times. I have a Cache hider in my location that is just amazing with puzzles. She is helpful when I ask, but I'd like to get some solved without continualy asking her for help. So here is the puzzle, I'm stuck with today.

 

-------------

 

the aim is to make 3 three digit numbers from the numbers 1-9. each number can only be used once.the 3 numbers will be called ABC DEF and GHI.

 

DEF shall be two times ABC and GHI will be three times ABC. there are only a few different solutions to this so get puzzling.

 

CHECK:A+B+C+D+E = F+G+H+I+1

G-C=B

D+B=H

 

-----------

 

My Head hurts every time I look at this. Any help would be great.

[+BlueDeuce]

I take every tough puzzle and let it simmer on the back burner of my brain.

 

While that's cooking I move on to other caches. I don't ask for a solution.

 

 

bd

Edited April 3, 2013 by BlueDeuce

[+wmpastor]

Right, asking for help with a solution is a no-no.

 

One thing I find - and this is a general comment only about this type of equation - is to eliminate some variables by replacing them with other variables that equal them.

 

Don't know if and where that'll take you with this puzzle, but it may help. Also, there are some sources in the forums and some caches that have general puzzle-solving techniques described, and are worth reading to sharpen your puzzle-solving skills.

 

Also, the CO may help a bit, if you can show you've put a lot of work into it and gotten partway to the solve.

[+BlueDeuce]

I don't have a problem with asking questions, even for a gimme. But it should be directed to the Cache Owner.

[+313JTG]

If you're constantly stuck on puzzles, I'd use Google and find some general tips for solving them. A couple of YouTube guides could help too. Once you understand a couple of basic components to a puzzle or the thought process of a particular CO's puzzles, you'll become a machine!

 

As for getting hints though, best to get them from the CO. Trust me, it'll feel much better when you get that "Success!" on the geochecker

[+niraD]

According to section 4 of the geocaching.com terms of use, "You agree not to: [...] (m) Publish, on any Groundspeak owned web property, the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the cache owner." However, here are some general puzzle tips (based in part on a puzzle-solving class event presented by The Rat a while ago):

 

Identify the theme. Check the cache title, the hint, the HTML source, the graphics (including names/URLs), any links (including URLs), whatever is at the posted coordinates, etc. If you can figure out the theme, then you should look for numbering systems that are associated with that theme (zip codes, athletes’ jersey numbers, episode numbers, product codes, etc.).

 

Around here, coordinates will have 15 digits, and will look like "N 37° xx.xxx W 122° xx.xxx". So when I'm solving a nearby puzzle, I look for a group of 15 things, and then I look for ways to get the digits 37xxxxx122xxxxx from them. In general, I look for ways to get the number 37 (or the digits 3 and 7) from something near the beginning of the puzzle, and the number 122 (or the digits 1, 2, and 2) from something near the middle of the puzzle. (Of course, you'll need to adjust this for the coordinates near you.)

 

Other useful resources include:

 

Puzzle Solving 101 Series (bookmark list)

 

Puzzle Shortcuts Series (bookmark list)

 

Solving Puzzle Caches (online article)

 

How Do I Solve All These $@! Puzzle Caches? (tutorial-style puzzle cache)

 

Puzzle FUNdamentals (archived event cache) and the Puzzle FUNdamentals resources on the GeocacheAlaska! education page

 

The GBA's Puzzle Cache FAQ (for puzzle designers, but useful for understanding how puzzle caches work)

 

If you’re interested in extremely challenging puzzles, then consider the online discussions of Venona’s ACTIVITIES in the GBA forums. The puzzles for this annual event are very challenging, intended to be solved by multiple people working together online. (You'll need to register on the GBA site to view these forum threads.)

 

Overview: Venona's 2011 ACTIVITIES

 

Overview: Venona's 2012 ACTIVITIES

[+80CJ5]

GOOGLE