alphametic

puzzle

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

An alphametic is a mathematical puzzle where letters are substituted for numbers in an arithmetic problem. The goal is to restore the original numbers using mathematical reasoning. These puzzles are also known as cryptarithms, and they typically involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.12

A key convention in alphametics is that the first letter of a number cannot be zero. Additionally, different letters must represent different digits. If these rules are not followed, a clue is usually provided.2

The term "crypt-arithmetic" was introduced in 1931, and "alphametic" specifically refers to cryptarithms where the letter combinations form meaningful words or phrases.2

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cryptarithm
Alphametics refers specifically to cryptarithms in which the combinations of letters make sense, as in one of the oldest and probably best known of all alphametics:
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Alphametics refers specifically to cryptarithms in which the combinations of letters make sense, as in one of the oldest and probably best known of all alphametics:
Read More

number game
Cryptarithms
Alphametics refers specifically to cryptarithms in which the combinations of letters make sense, as in one of the oldest and probably best known of all alphametics:
Read More
Alphametics refers specifically to cryptarithms in which the combinations of letters make sense, as in one of the oldest and probably best known of all alphametics:
Read More