Can You Break This Code? [UPDATE: Answer Revealed]
In honor of computing legend Grace Hopper, we’re sharing a code for attendees at the annual Grace Hopper Celebration. Stop by our virtual booth with the answer for a special prize. Scroll down to view solution.
Scroll down for solution
Answer:
The way you encode is:
- Write the key phrase in one line with no spaces
- Number the letters of the key phrase in alphabetical order (A=1, B=2, etc.)
- Then, add the message to encode below each letter of the key phrase.
- Finally, re-order the letters of the message to encode in order of the numbered columns (1=OO, 2=S, 3=SE, etc.)
For an extra layer of encoding, the letters are grouped in fives.
Columnar Transposition Cipher
KEY PHRASE: |
M |
A |
K |
E |
T |
H |
I |
N |
G |
S |
P |
O |
S |
S |
I |
B |
L |
E |
||||||||||
11 |
1 |
9 |
3 |
18 |
6 |
7 |
12 |
5 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
16 |
17 |
8 |
2 |
10 |
4 |
|||||||||||
Y |
O |
U |
S |
O |
L |
V |
E |
P |
R |
O |
B |
L |
E |
M |
S |
S |
O |
|||||||||||
D |
O |
W |
E |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
O |
O |
S |
S |
E |
O |
P |
L |
V |
M |
U |
W |
S |
Y |
D |
E |
B |
O |
R |
L |
E |
O |
|||||||
CODE: |
O |
O |
S |
S |
E |
O |
P |
L |
V |
M |
U |
W |
S |
Y |
D |
E |
B |
O |
R |
L |
E |
O |