The Cache is NOT at the listed coordinates…to obtain the correct coordinates, you will simply have to do a bit of math. I’m not very good at math, but I love history…I enjoy finding out how we got to the present from the past.
Ever wonder the how and why behind the numbers that pretty much all of us use…pretty much every day? Here’s a quick history lesson on numbers…
The first numerals were simply tally marks…take the number 1…all it is really is a single tally mark. The ancient Egyptians used the same mark! Ancient Indians did the same, except theirs were horizontal.
But what about bigger numbers? Those can be done in one of four methods: grouping (aka additive), multiplicative, cipher or the positional system (this is the one most used today).
This cache will further examine the grouping system to find the final coordinates, specifically focusing on how the Romans did it. Overall, grouping is the simplest system…adding numbers, in the beginning, equals more tally marks. For larger numbers, you simply add different symbols.
But you also have to have a subtractive rule…and in the Romans case, when a smaller unit was placed before a larger one…that indicated a subtraction. For example…IV means four while VI means six.
Grouping systems can be difficult though…how do you add or subtract two large numbers from one another…let alone multiply or divide! Thankfully, you won’t have to do any of those things in order to find the cache!
To find the cache, you’ll be converting a Roman number into something more recognizable…but first, a quick reminder on the Roman numeric symbols:
I equals 1…II equals 2…III equals 3
V equals 5
X equals 10
L equals 50
C equals 100
D equals 500
M equals 1000
Now the part you all’ve been waiting for…the final coordinates are: N 32 24.326 W 085 1.XXX
Convert CCCXLI to find XXX.
NOTE: Like most caches, there is NO need to go into the building when you make it to GZ.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.