"Factorising Quadratics" by benchen71

Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
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benchen71
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"Factorising Quadratics" by benchen71

#1

Post by benchen71 »

Welcome to...

benchen71's Metas on a Tuesday (MOAT)

Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? This is a meta puzzle for those of you out there who can remember back to high school algebra class! [@MikeyG and @hoover, I'm looking at you!] And I am sorry if this puts some of you off but you will actually have to do some mathematics in order to get to the answer to the meta, which is a mathematician with a ten-letter name. Here's a free hint to get you started on the meta: the image on Crosshare will help.

The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.

Factorising Quadratics - Online Form
Factorising Quadratics - PUZ
Factorising Quadratics - PDF
Factorising Quadratics - spreadsheet

Nudges are here.
The solution is here.

havefun.gif
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta! :D
Laura M
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#2

Post by Laura M »

That was impressive! And fun!
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benchen71
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#3

Post by benchen71 »

Laura M wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 3:16 am That was impressive! And fun!
I am sooooo relieved to hear you say "fun"! :D
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta! :D
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#4

Post by Qmark »

Loved it Ben...always enjoy a math-themed meta.
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#5

Post by hoover »

Yay, math! Also, I was up at T minus 2 hours refreshing my browser window repeatedly before I realized the puzzle wasn't going to drop for awhile.
I don't have anything clever to say, but if I did, it would go here.
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MikeyG
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#6

Post by MikeyG »

As long as the answer isn't HERMIT CRAB, I should be good!
Less cross words, more crosswords.

Solve my latest "Pun of a Kind" Meta!: 133. Don't Think Twice
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CPJohnson
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#7

Post by CPJohnson »

For those of us USA people whose last quadratic equation manipulation was long, long ago.....is factorising the same thing as factoring?
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MMe
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#8

Post by MMe »

CPJohnson wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:03 am For those of us USA people whose last quadratic equation manipulation was long, long ago.....is factorising the same thing as factoring?
Yes, it's the difference between maths and math
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#9

Post by Ergcat »

Crossed the moat!

Update: yeah, I guessed the answer with help from Mr Google but was determined to backsolve for the mechanism. It came to me yesterday afternoon while watching the Oppenheimer movie!! Something “clicked” in my brain while seeing all those equations on the big screen ! 😂 Aha, the meta-nism is so simple yet elegant!
Last edited by Ergcat on Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
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lbray53
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#10

Post by lbray53 »

Crossed the MOAT! Fun one. I should have been done much sooner. I crushed the math but struggled with counting difficulties!
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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Joe Ross
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#11

Post by Joe Ross »

ARITHSMETHSTICS.

Image
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HeadinHome
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#12

Post by HeadinHome »

ha ha ha ha ha yeahhh… no.

Honestly, started the puzzle and immediately started having anxiety at 10A. I’ll cheer the rest of you from the sidelines. ( :
The other Wendy. :roll:
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Meg
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#13

Post by Meg »

So, my older sister has a PhD in math. She gave me the meta answer. Now I have to backsolve and find the path. Not the normal way to do a puzzle.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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#14

Post by MatthewL »

Moat crossed, castle weakly entered (absolutely not stormed). Needed a push from @lbray53 and some googling to relearn some math skills, but finally got it. Thanks Ben! Although I curse the name of REDACTED for inspiring Ben to do this puzzle.
Matthew
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#15

Post by boharr »

HeadinHome wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:25 pm ha ha ha ha ha yeahhh… no.
I’ll cheer the rest of you from the sidelines. ( :
As will I.
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#16

Post by kurtalert »

Moat crossed. So, so good. Thanks as always, Ben!
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#17

Post by Schmeel »

boharr wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 2:48 pm
HeadinHome wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:25 pm ha ha ha ha ha yeahhh… no.
I’ll cheer the rest of you from the sidelines. ( :
As will I.
Me too. And any math I might remember is in Hebrew. Maybe I'll ask one of my kids in high school to help me out.
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#18

Post by hcbirker »

HeadinHome wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:25 pm ha ha ha ha ha yeahhh… no.

Honestly, started the puzzle and immediately started having anxiety at 10A. I’ll cheer the rest of you from the sidelines. ( :
I'm with you Wendy!
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woozy
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#19

Post by woozy »

lbray53 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:04 am Crossed the MOAT! Fun one. I should have been done much sooner. I crushed the math but struggled with counting difficulties!
Me too! Exactly (I have about 10 entries)
GUAVA is not an anagram of VAGUE
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ajk
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#20

Post by ajk »

The math was easy, but still working on getting to the answer from there. :lol:
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
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