🧩 Newbie puzzles ! 🧩 Solve one and get the MERIT you deserve 🏆

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: decodx on June 20, 2022, 11:59:23 AM

Code:

R🐟NYTimes 09/Apr/2020 With $2.3T Injection, Fed's Plan Far Exceeds 2008 Rescue Mined ^H

https://blockchair.com/bitcoin/block/629999

I got that information from blockchain explorer, Is this what you're looking for?

That is the correct answer !

Explanation:

So where i=3 would mean the third halving ==> block 630,000. But since the equation I wrote had a "-1" at the end that would mean block 629,999 Grin

That block's coinbase transaction had a little message attached !

decodx

hero member

Activity: 1414

Merit: 915

🇺🇦 Glory to Ukraine!

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 20, 2022, 08:01:44 AM

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 16, 2022, 01:56:19 PM

Hint #2: The string in question was written by F2Pool on May 11, 2020 7:23 PM UTC

Hint #3: string = text = message

Code:

R🐟NYTimes 09/Apr/2020 With $2.3T Injection, Fed's Plan Far Exceeds 2008 Rescue Mined ^H

https://blockchair.com/bitcoin/block/629999

I got that information from blockchain explorer, Is this what you're looking for?

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 16, 2022, 01:56:19 PM

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 14, 2022, 08:33:16 AM

for (i = 3):
type(X) == string
print(X) =

Hint #2: The string in question was written by F2Pool on May 11, 2020 7:23 PM UTC

Hint #3: string = text = message

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 14, 2022, 08:33:16 AM

for (i = 3):
type(X) == string
print(X) =

Hint #2: The string in question was written by F2Pool on May 11, 2020 7:23 PM UTC

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: Majestic-milf on June 15, 2022, 11:22:45 AM

Answer(Q1)
The quick brown fox jumps over 13 lazy dogs.

Reddit did not help on this occasion. It was already solved and still gave a wrong answer. Damn...

Quote from: DdmrDdmr on June 15, 2022, 11:42:07 AM

Not sure about one thing here, and without giving it away (others should scoop the Merit reward), I can’t make out why the "-1" is there nor whether it is meant to be included in the summation or rather subtracted after it (the latter I believe, since it lacks brackets).

Subtracted after the SUM

Quote from: DdmrDdmr on June 15, 2022, 11:42:07 AM

I wouldn’t have thought it (the "-1") to be part of the original formula, but I may be wrong.

Note: If anyone wants to perform the calculus, you can easily do it on Excel (start with i=3 for a reason).

It's about the meaning of subtracting 1 from the equation where i=3, not the calculation. And finding a "string" ...

DdmrDdmr

legendary

Activity: 2240

Merit: 10532

There are lies, damned lies and statistics. MTwain

Not sure about one thing here, and without giving it away (others should scoop the Merit reward), I can’t make out why the "-1" is there nor whether it is meant to be included in the summation or rather subtracted after it (the latter I believe, since it lacks brackets). I wouldn’t have thought it (the "-1") to be part of the original formula, but I may be wrong.

Note: If anyone wants to perform the calculus, you can easily do it on Excel (start with i=3 for a reason).

Quote from: Rizzrack on June 15, 2022, 11:51:42 AM

<...> It's about the meaning of subtracting 1 from the equation where i=3, not the calculation. And finding a "string" ...

I know, that's why I said "wants to" as opposed to saying it in a "needs to" context.

Majestic-milf

hero member

Activity: 784

Merit: 589

Answer(Q1)
The quick brown fox jumps over 13 lazy dogs.

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

BUMP !

*Take it one step at a time. What do you think the above equation is ?

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Here's a

brain teaser for y'all !

for (i = 3):
type(X) == string
print(X) =

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: nc50lc on May 04, 2022, 09:10:30 AM

How about if N-days have passed and the puzzle isn't solved yet, open that round for all ranks instead of just newbies?
You can decide on the number of days.

Not a bad idea !

Once I come up with a new one will try this out. Thanks

Quote from: Bamjos on May 04, 2022, 03:06:56 PM

Code:

-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Tjho uijt nfttbhf: "Xf bsf bmm tbuptij fydfqu gps DTX" vtjoh uif tbnf beesftt J bn (1K7neh5scRzVIFOZey39XWXL7gtMqFpYAz)
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
Version: Bitcoin-qt (1.0)
Address: 3K1AAUvgrYNH6Syp5e1zjqAWpe3dapBUPS

IFTQanseMw7GHwJKUzka0CxEV5XaHy2xcm+CflZrxzmlVwaeamI++5SqHPTYXZCvN04J7BW7Sou7cdp+qj0eXFc=
-----END BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----

If you would have read the post you would have seen that it was already solved:

Quote from: BitcoinIsABubble on March 14, 2022, 05:38:09 PM

Tjho uijt nfttbhf: "Xf bsf bmm tbuptij fydfqu gps DTX" vtjoh uif tbnf beesftt J bn (1K7neh5scRzVIFOZey39XWXL7gtMqFpYAz) when you change every letter to the previous one in the alphabet becomes Sign this message: "We are all satoshi except for CSW" using the same address I am (1J7mdg5rbQyUHENYdx39WVWK7fsLpEoXZy)

You were supposed to sign it with the above address, not a random one you own.
Please read and think a bit before replying next time

Bamjos

member

Activity: 71

Merit: 22

Quote from: Rizzrack on March 11, 2022, 09:22:33 AM

Question 3 (more of a challenge actually than a question) :

Quote from: Rizzrack on March 14, 2022, 12:42:05 PM

-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Tjho uijt nfttbhf: "Xf bsf bmm tbuptij fydfqu gps DTX" vtjoh uif tbnf beesftt J bn (1K7neh5scRzVIFOZey39XWXL7gtMqFpYAz)
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
1J7mdg5rbQyUHENYdx39WVWK7fsLpEoXZy
IDt1vr8Ahx4Yt3Rm5zfvwbGIis7MrpSDNx8ev6inxMr+NB8CWOHoTPVeujlfYMpsW58Txp1scaxXY5WtNQhbS94=
-----END BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----

Code:

-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Tjho uijt nfttbhf: "Xf bsf bmm tbuptij fydfqu gps DTX" vtjoh uif tbnf beesftt J bn (1K7neh5scRzVIFOZey39XWXL7gtMqFpYAz)
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
Version: Bitcoin-qt (1.0)
Address: 3K1AAUvgrYNH6Syp5e1zjqAWpe3dapBUPS

IFTQanseMw7GHwJKUzka0CxEV5XaHy2xcm+CflZrxzmlVwaeamI++5SqHPTYXZCvN04J7BW7Sou7cdp+qj0eXFc=
-----END BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----

nakamura12

hero member

Activity: 2254

Merit: 669

Bitcoin Casino Est. 2013

It would be good of the title is not newbie puzzles instead it should be Newbie friendly Puzzles. Though you may say that it is a newbie puzzles but what about those who doesn't have knowledge on what to do like binary codes for example. You can make this challenge the same as Pmalek's Word Game where newbies are given an advantage where they are the one who can participate first until the time runs out and then higher ranks can participate too if lower ranks can't find the answer or solution. Nice puzzles by the way.

m2017

legendary

Activity: 1792

Merit: 1296

keep walking, Johnnie

Quote from: nc50lc on May 04, 2022, 09:10:30 AM

Quote from: Rizzrack on May 04, 2022, 06:52:12 AM

-snip-
Anyone else is invited to chip in with a suggestion or an interesting question !

How about if N-days have passed and the puzzle isn't solved yet, open that round for all ranks instead of just newbies?
You can decide on the number of days.

I think this is a good intention and Rizzrack will support your proposal.

I like the idea of a thread like this, allowing beginners to learn something new about crypto. And as a bonus, get merit, which will also encourage them to be active. But most importantly, this interactive format allows to involve beginners in bitcoin world and allows to practically contact with it. It also has informational benefits for everyone who follows similar activities and reads the topic. Something similar is implemented in topic [Merit] Hey Newbies! Can You Sign A Message? I hope there will be more such forms of active involvement of newcomers in the future.

nc50lc

legendary

Activity: 2394

Merit: 5531

Self-proclaimed Genius

Quote from: Rizzrack on May 04, 2022, 06:52:12 AM

-snip-
Anyone else is invited to chip in with a suggestion or an interesting question !

How about if N-days have passed and the puzzle isn't solved yet, open that round for all ranks instead of just newbies?
You can decide on the number of days.

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: BitcoinIsABubble on April 27, 2022, 03:09:35 AM

This was a tough one for me I admit, do you plan to release further challenges anytime soon?

To be honest I was a little bummed that there was no interest in the last one and kind of let it go for the moment...
Either way there are so many ways you can encode stuff and running dry on ideas. Will think about it and see if I can come up with a few more

Anyone else is invited to chip in with a suggestion or an interesting question !

P.S. You also solved 2 of them so I might incline to add an extra rule about how many times you would be allowed to participate. Well done though Grin

BitcoinIsABubble

jr. member

Activity: 30

Merit: 14

This was a tough one for me I admit, do you plan to release further challenges anytime soon?

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: Rizzrack on March 29, 2022, 11:46:32 AM

Upload the below image to imgur or a similar service and post it here:

Quote

NB2HI4DTHIXS65DFPB2GE2LOFZXGK5BPOFRWI2DPMF2GMZDQ

Decided to post the response since there were no takers this round !

How to solve:

Step 1: decode from base32 to text

Code:

NB2HI4DTHIXS65DFPB2GE2LOFZXGK5BPOFRWI2DPMF2GMZDQ

and you would get

Code:

https://textbin.net/qcdhoatfdp

Step 2: The code from the pastebin is too big to fit in the post so if you are curious check the link yourselves.
Symbols are HTML URL-encoded. So you would need to decode them first. "%3A" would be ":", "%2F" would be "/" etc.

Step 3: Decode from base64 to image. For example I used https://codebeautify.org/base64-to-image-converter

And it shows you the image !
Uploading it to imgur and posting it here should not require any further explanations Tongue

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Quote from: ?? on ??

I'm starting to think you guys do not want/need merit !
Hint #1: it's not base58 or base64

Hint #2: if you would decode "NB2HI4DTHIXS65DFPB2GE2LOFZXGK5BPOFRWI2DPMF2GMZDQ" from base32 to text the output would be

Quote

https://textbin.net/qcdhoatfdp

Extra hint: 2 more steps and you can find the image !

Rizzrack

copper member

Activity: 763

Merit: 692

Defend Bitcoin and its PoW: bitcoincleanup.com

Upload the below image to imgur or a similar service and post it here:

Quote

NB2HI4DTHIXS65DFPB2GE2LOFZXGK5BPOFRWI2DPMF2GMZDQ

BitcoinIsABubble

jr. member

Activity: 30

Merit: 14

Quote from: PhoenixZephyrus on March 21, 2022, 12:33:49 PM

Quote from: Rizzrack on March 21, 2022, 12:21:54 PM

Quote from: PhoenixZephyrus on March 21, 2022, 11:08:44 AM

Okay the only one I could think of that had a dataset available was the Million Song Dataset, and I tried encoding all of the song title names to SHA-1 via some sqlite3 queries and python, and output that out to a csv file. But I couldn't find the hash that I had found in the previous step. My guess is that the database is some different one altogether, I guess I'll give it a few more tries later.

Do not complicate the trivial !
Search engines are your friend Tongue

P.S. probably did not find it due to uppercase letters or stuff like that. wrote the name of the song by hand and all lowercase

Ah its all lowercase. Then I would say the song is "Who Let The Dogs Out" by "Baha Men"

Method: Well I had already got the SHA-1 hash from the previous posts. Then I used the track_metadata from FMA Data for music analysis.

Then I wrote a short python code to get the SHA-1 hash name for each of the files and appended that with the track names. I wrote a pythonic script (instead of trying to find an online music search db) just because I wanted to check out some of its functions and also get familiar with some Capture The Flag contest method - this challenge was quite like some preliminary CTF contest
Here is the code:

Code:

import csv
import hashlib
import os.path

BASE_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
db_path = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, "songs.db")
file = open("C:\\hashes_tracks.csv", "w", encoding="utf-8")
with open("C:\\tracks.csv", "r", encoding="utf-8") as dataset:
reader = csv.DictReader(dataset)
for row in reader:
name = row["title"].lower().strip()
result = hashlib.sha1(name.encode())
file.write(result.hexdigest() + name + '\n')

And then a simple search for the hash was enough to get the song name.
Proof that the hash matches

Oh wow, good job there!

Topic: 🧩 Newbie puzzles ! 🧩 Solve one and get the MERIT you deserve 🏆 (Read 982 times)