The word "wizard" has the peculiar property that its letters can be grouped in pairs — A and Z, D and W, and I and R — that are opposite each other in the alphabet. That is, A and Z are at opposite ends of the alphabet, D and W are four letters in from their respective ends, and I and R are nine letters in from their respective ends. Can you name a well-known brand name in six letters that has this same property?We're working on this, which means it's not immediately obvious, or we're all still groggy from too much food and computer games. (Edited to add: Ross solved it.)
You on the other hand have solved this immediately because you are magically delicious, wait, no, just plain smart!
And, having solved it, you've been smart enough to send your answer in to NPR using their delicate snowflake of a contact form, found--quick, before it melts!--here.
Photos. Well, as I don't know the answer (yet), I can hardly post something too hinty. Here, nonetheless, are some brand names.
Time for
This is where we ask you how many entries you think NPR will get for the
challenge above. If you want to win, leave a comment with your guess
for the range of entries NPR will receive. First come first served, so
read existing comments before you guess. Or skip the comments and send
an email with your pick to Magdalen (at) Crosswordman (dot) com. Ross
and I guess last, just before we publish the Thursday post. After the
Thursday post is up, the entries are closed. The winner gets a puzzle
book of our choosing or a contribution in the winner's honor to the Philippine Red Cross, or World Food Programme, both helping communities hit by Haiyan (aka Super Typhoon Yolanda).
Over 1100 entries so once again last week yielded no winner. This week is, we believe, not easy. I'm predicting that the ranges from zero to 500 will fill up pretty quickly.
Here are the ranges:
Over 1100 entries so once again last week yielded no winner. This week is, we believe, not easy. I'm predicting that the ranges from zero to 500 will fill up pretty quickly.
Here are the ranges:
Fewer than 50 51 - 100 101 - 150 151 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301 - 350 351 - 400 401 - 450 451 - 500 501 - 550 551 - 600 601 - 650 651 - 700 701 - 750 751 - 800 801 - 850 851 - 900 901 - 950 951 - 1,000 | 1,001 - 1,050 1,051 - 1,100 1,101 - 1,150 1,151 - 1,200 1,201 - 1,250 1,251 - 1,300 1,301 - 1,350 1,351 - 1,400 1,401 - 1,450 1,451 - 1,500 1,501 - 1,550 1,551 - 1,600 1,601 - 1,650 1,651 - 1,700 1,701 - 1,750 1,751 - 1,800 1,801 - 1,850 1,851 - 1,900 1,901 - 1,950 1,951 - 2,000 | 2,001 - 2,050 2,051 - 2,100 2,101 - 2,150 2,151 - 2,200 2,201 - 2,250 2,251 - 2,300 2,301 - 2,350 2,351 - 2,400 2,401 - 2,450 2,451 - 2,500 2,501 - 2,750 2,751 - 3,000 3,001 - 3,250 3,251 - 3,500 3,501 - 4,000 4,001 - 4,500 4,501 - 5,000 More than 5,000 More than 5,000 and it sets a new record. |
Our tie-break rule: In the event that a single round number is announced with a qualifier such as "about" or "around" (e.g., "We received around 1,200 entries."), AND two separate people picked the ranges of numbers just before and just after that round number, the prize will be awarded to whichever entrant had not already won a prize, or in the event that both entrants had won a prize already or neither had, then to the earlier of the two entries on the famous judicial principle of "First Come First Serve," (or in technical legal jargon, "You Snooze, You Lose"). As of July 2012, this rule is officially no longer obsolete (and also I just like having fine print).
16 comments:
151-200 range please? If I'm correct, donation to PRC.
Thanks & Happy New Year!!
I'll go with 351 - 400. I found this pretty easily, but the spelling is a little different than most would assume.
301-350 please.
Happy New Year! Best wishes for a puzzling year ahead.
"Wizard" has a similar symmetry to the plan of the puzzle: pairs 1-6, 2-5 and 3-4.
Dr. S doesn't make clear (to me, at least) if this is necessary for the answer or if just 3 pairs anywhere in the word will work.
My answer does NOT follow the 1-6, 2-5, 3-4 pattern.
1,851 - 1,900 (WFP), please.
I'll take 401-450, and WFPUSA, please.
I will try 501-550.
Happy New Year!
I'll take 451-500; I think this is a tough one.
Multiple folks were at this for several hours at a Christmas gathering last evening and in the end we came up with nothing. 101 - 150 please, and yes we are still trying to solve!
Paul (here) and Blaine (there) both say that the pair pattern in "Wizard" is not necessary for this challenge.
Do they know something I don't?
1001 to 1050, WFP please.
Well, I have one name that is a musical (nearly everything is a "brand" these days) as well as makers (separately) of tractors, mobile homes, shoes and men's clothes.
However, I think that Will simply neglected to be rigorous about his instructions and intended the correct response to be in the symmetrical form of the word "Wizard," even though Blaine seems to have secret knowledge otherwise.
Therefore, fewer than 50 should be the reported Range.
Happy New Year all.
Thanks for the link. May I change my range to 51 -100? Philippines, please.
I submitted my answer only this morning because the past several days were taken up with moving. Can't find a cereal bowl yet, but am breakfasting happily on yogurt. This small apartment building is full of welcoming neighbors and is overseen by a conscientious landlord--a great contrast to my previous apartment. Happy New Year, Magdalen and Ross, and thanks for running this blog. Happy New Year, everyone!
Oh, and may I try 251-300, please?
201 please, finally got it
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