As Jill swung through the door of the Blue Swan caf\u00e9 one busy Saturday\nafternoon, she saw Jack sitting at a window table staring intently at his\nmobile phone, nervously sipping a coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s so fascinating on your phone, Jack? \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJill, I could win a ten thousand dollar prize if I work out a code.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat code are you talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA puzzle website is offering a promotional prize, but I have one hour to\nwork out a code to win it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it that difficult?\u201d said Jill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, the code is based on a five-digit number that when quadrupled gives\nthe reverse of itself, which is the number I need,\u201d said Jack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s a tricky one. Any\nmore information?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, there is a strange hint I can\u2019t figure out,\u201d said Jack with a\nforlorn expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe cryptic hint is: \u2018The cross sum is the middle. Half the first\nis the second. Cube the start to get the end.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve run into this type of thing in my course on number theory with\nprofessor MacDooley. Does a fifty-fifty share sound ok to you, Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure, Jill. What else can I say,\u201d shrugged Jack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jill quickly pulled out a notepad, calculator and pen from her bag, sat\ndown and got busy writing. Jack ordered her a cappuccino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would you say is the code needed to win the prize?<\/em><\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>