Dr. Towell - dtowell@lipscomb.edu
The Alien Number System
+ +In a far-off galaxy, there exists an advanced alien civilization that uses a peculiar numbering system. This system is based on a combination of base-3, base-8, and base-16, all intertwined. Here's how it works:
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- Digits 0 through 20 are represented as usual in base-3. +
- Digits 21 through 42 are represented as usual in base-8. +
- Digits A through F are represented as usual in base-16. +
Now, your challenge:
+ +An alien artifact has been discovered, and on it, there's an cipher. The cipher contains three values and then a light. Each row of values contains an instruction to either turn on the light or keep it off. Only with the correct combination of lights will the cipher be solved.
+ To decipher this instruction, you need to recall your knowledge on base conversion. While the aliens like their numbers as a combination of base-3, base-8, and base-16, we typically like our numbers represented as base-10. Once in a representation we like, sum the values. + +Recall that electronics work in 1's and 0's, on or off, including the aliens lights. The instruction to turn the light on or off is found in the most significant bit of the row's sum.
+ +Can you crack the code and unveil the hidden message within the artifact?
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