Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Would you like to see a magic trick?
Pick a number between 1 and 999. Let this number be ABC.
- If you chose a number less than 100, add zeroes to the start to ensure it has three digits. For example, if you chose 1, let ABC = 001. If you choose 22, let ABC = 022.
- Check that ABC is not a palindrome (ABC when read forwards must not be the same number as ABC when read backwards). If it is, please make another choice of starting number.
Reverse ABC, so that you now also have CBA.
Calculate the difference between ABC and CBA, and call this DEF.
- If ABC is larger, DEF will be equal to ABC - CBA
- If CBA is larger, DEF will be equal to CBA - ABC
If DEF has only one or two digits, add zeroes to the start to make it a three digit number. For example: if DEF = 1, then make it 001. If DEF = 11, make it 011.
Now reverse DEF, so that you also have FED.
Add DEF and FED, and call the result GHJK.
The cache can be found at S 35 1G.HJK E 149 1G.HJK.
There is plenty of room for swaps and a pencil, but if you want a pen, then BYO. A small prize for FTF is included.
Happy hunting!