There used to a be a tricky and clever puzzle cache here called "qrst". It was a clever math solve, literally out of this world using radians, mercator projections and a bunch of logic that was exactly straightforward but also not. I solved with some help, using a spreadsheet and many many iterations, working through one layer at a time. Exactly one quadrant at a time.
Apparently the logic for this particular GPS coordinate notation was in fact the way google plotted coords at the dawn of google - you know - a million years ago. You actually just put into the google search bar "t = qrstrsrtsqtqqtttstqsstrttrr" and you would get a location! This has now been replaced with many other less cumbersome options - see my World Map series for a few other ways meanwhile or visit Geocaching Toolbox for multiple other coordinate notations.
The qrst algorithm has been replaced, but the knowledge remains. I found a solver, for this "historic math", should anyone still be be interested in revisiting. I believe was called Quadtree and found it in GCTools app under Coordinate. The two caches that I was aware of used this method, are both now archived: "qrst" and "0 2 3"
ANYWAYS... the qrst cache was great. LOVED with 33 favourites, which was almost 50% of the finders! Impressive stats. Sadly it had only but a few visitors in recent years and through winter, the cache was broken beyond repair, thus archived.
So needs a tribute...... !!!!
Here is an homage to some math in the form of qrst multi.
So we are now most familar with the degree decimal minute notation: N53° XX.XXX' and W113° XX.XXX'
and the decimal degree notation: N53.XXXXX°, W113.XXXXX°
for the Edmonton area for example. Let's solve for this cache coordinate numbers.
Cache is located at:
| N53° Q1R1 . S1T1X2' and W113° Q3R3 . S3T3Y2' |
Visit posted as your stage 1 then make way to stage 2 and 3 to gather your clues for "Q", "R", "S", "T, and "X" and "Y". (where "1" denotes from Stage 1, "2" from Stage 2 and "3" from Stage 3) .
Stage 1 = posted (N 53° 28.478' W 113° 33.096').
- Q1 first digit of the year of passing
- R1 last digit of year of birth
- S1 last digit of year of passing
- T1 second digit of year of birth.
Stage 2 = Virtual 2 (N 53° 28.473' W 113° 33.145'). Here's the Math. YOU CAN DO IT
- X = [total number of "not allowed" symbols from both signs] + 1
- Y = [number of "allowed" symbols] x 4
Stage 3 = Virtual 3 (N 53° 28.492' W 113° 33.141')
- Q3 third digit of the year of birth
- R3 last digit of year of passing
- S3 third digit of year of passing
- T3 second digit of year of birth.
Can you do it? Yes you can! You got 'dis! And should you feel worried by ANY of the "math", please message me for some advice. This is meant to be enjoyed and visited should be you able to navigate the terrain.