6
$\begingroup$

Decode this chaotic mix of letters and symbols:

XLEMFHIWOVNYRUDQCJPASGBTKZ !AEZF ,FQPVPRHH TMDD RG QVU OUHIVJH FDJMVR R WVKZ RS SEGLBIZHJMFTRXAVKNQPDWYCUO

Here is the computing version:

XLEMFHIWOVNYRUDQCJPASGBTKZ !AEZF ,FQPVPRHH TMDD RG QVU OUHIVJH FDJMVR R WVKZ RS SEGLBIZHJMFTRXAVKNQPDWYCUO

Now you got the cipher: Who am I?


EDIT:

Clues are more clear in this version.

Decode this chaotic mix of letters and symbols:


XLEMFHIWOVNYRUDQCJPASGBTKZ !AEZF ,FQPVPRHH TMDD RG QVU OUHIVJH FDJMVR R WVKZ RS SEGLBIZHJMFTRXAVKNQPDWYCUO

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Have you seen Code Puzzles: What Not to Do? The example there seems very similar to the puzzle you give here. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi
    Nov 15, 2017 at 19:13
  • $\begingroup$ I will take into account, thanks! However, there are more clues in my question than in the one of the example, it is just that people might realize about it. $\endgroup$
    – D. Mellow
    Nov 15, 2017 at 19:28

2 Answers 2

7
$\begingroup$

The answer is:

The Beatles

The message is:

WE HAVE A YELLOW VEHICLE AND WE NEED SOMEBODY, HELP!

Solution:

As Tas and M Oehm noted there are two full permutations of the alphabet starting and ending the text. Using a chaocipher with the first transposition "XLEMFHIWOVNYRUDQCJPASGBTKZ" as the left disk alphabet and the second one "SEGLBIZHJMFTRXAVKNQPDWYCUO" as the right disk alphabet, the middle text becomes "!PLEH ,YDOBEMOS DEEN EW DNA ELCIHEV WOLLEY A EVAH EW". When this text is reversed we get the answer above. The Beatles wrote songs with chorus lyrics "We all live in a yellow submarine" and "Help, I need somebody".

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ That is perfect, you got the cipher! Now, what is the answer to the riddle?? $\endgroup$
    – D. Mellow
    Nov 17, 2017 at 3:40
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Well done! The Chaocipher was new to me. Oh, and I believe that the yellow vehicle is one for travelling underwater ... $\endgroup$
    – M Oehm
    Nov 17, 2017 at 6:36
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the hint @MOehm . The chaocipher was new to me too. Honestly I just searched for "chaos cipher" based on the clues and found it that way. $\endgroup$
    – Barker
    Nov 17, 2017 at 6:44
  • $\begingroup$ Learn something new every day. :) $\endgroup$
    – M Oehm
    Nov 17, 2017 at 6:46
1
$\begingroup$

Not a complete answer

The cipher appears to be a

Vigenère cipher

because

The first 26 letters of the phrase are all the letters in the alphabet, so this is likely the alphabet used for the cipher:
XLEMFHIWOVNYRUDQCJPASGBTKZ

Although the question mentions letters and symbols, there are really only two symbols and since

The ones before the first symbol are the alphabet, it's likely the ones between the ! and , potentially represent something as well.

Other observations:

The most common letters in the text appear to be R and V, and there is a double H and double D. Because R stands alone and appears in words of two, it's likely it's A or I

$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ These are good observations, but note that both the first and last word are permutations of the alphabet. Also, the two punctuation marks come after a space, so it's probable that the centre part, i.e. the real message is reversed. $\endgroup$
    – M Oehm
    Nov 16, 2017 at 6:34
  • $\begingroup$ @MOehm is completely ok, now you know there are two alphabets, one on the right and another on the left, figure out the type of cipher. There is still one more clue to guess the cipher type. $\endgroup$
    – D. Mellow
    Nov 16, 2017 at 7:08

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.