Alphanumerics

send
The above is probably the most famous example of an alphametric.

A cryptarithm is a type of mathematical puzzle in which the digits in numerical calculations are replaced by letters of the alphabet.

Alphametics are cryptarithms in which letters form meaningful words, often in meaningful phrases. There are only a few simple rules for these puzzles:

1. The same letter always stands for the same digit, and the same digit is always represented by the same letter. So if a P stands for a 2, every P in the puzzle is a 2. If a 3 is represented by a K, every 3 in the puzzle will be a K.

2.The digit zero is not allowed to appear as the left-most digit in any of the numbers in the puzzle. For example, if the word FOOD represents an addend in a puzzle, the F may not be a zero.

3.Most alphametics have unique solutions (there is only one possible answer).

Here are a few easier alphametrics to try to solve. You need to find which letter each number represents. A good place to start in the first one is the F of FOOL, as there is only one number it can possibly be:
alphanumerics
Here is an extensive list to try from Bielefeld University.
You can even make up your own ones here!
For example
FlemingGoodman
But there is no guarantee that they will be easy or fun to solve! It may take a lot of brute force.
Finally this is a puzzle from Nrich about an alphanumeric that doesn’t have a unique solution:
kids

9 thoughts on “Alphanumerics”

  1. Hi, i just found some numbers that fit the SEND+MORE=MONEY problem after 4 days of trying!!Not so sure about it though….
    9452+1084=10546

    Here is an image of how I was working it out:

    Reply

    1. Hi Laetitia, well done it’s very close! But 9452 and 1084 add up to 10536 so the Es are not the same. I hope you will persevere as the S,M,O and R are all correct.

      Reply

  3. Hi i just found some numbers that i suspect it can fit to solve send+more=money and these numbers are 9662+1006=10668 buut am not sure of it

    Reply

    1. Hi Jaymo, good try, but at the moment you have 9662 in place of the word SEND. Each letter has to stand for a different number, so the E and the N can’t both be 6.

      Good luck!

      Reply

  4. Hi, my name is Jacky from Lewa. Have tried this for two weeks. I think i have the answer for the puzzle.
    SEND+MORE =MONEY
    S=9, E=5, N=6, D=7, M=1, O=0, R=8, Y=2
    So send is(9567), More is (1085) when you add the two you get,
    9567+1085=10652 which is money.

    Reply

  5. Peter-M-pesa Foundation Academy
    S-9
    E-5
    N-6
    D-7
    +
    M-1
    O-0
    R-8
    E-5
    =
    M-1
    O-0
    N-6
    E-5
    Y-2

    Reply

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