State Da Vinci Decathlon 2017 Code Breaking
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Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 STATE DA VINCI DECATHLON 2017 CELEBRATING THE ACADEMIC GIFTS OF STUDENTS IN YEARS 9 - 11 CODE BREAKING TEAM NUMBER _____________ Q1 Q2 Q3 Total /26 /16 /24 /66 1 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 QUESTION 1: QR CODING (26 MARKS) QR codes are one of the most powerful images we can currently make with ease. Contained within the black and white squares, that represent 1 or 0 respectively, is information that has been coded so computers can easily read and interpret the data. Unlike barcodes, which only operate linearly, these codes can compress many more times the amount of data. Today you will be deciphering the following QR code: Pages 3-5 contain detailed explanations and diagrams that will help you decipher the QR code. Answer the questions on these pages before decoding the QR code and writing your final answer in the box provided on page 6. Note that the answer is case sensitive and may not make any grammatical sense! Be wary that this question will take patience, care and time. Work methodically and make sure to include all working out on the spare pages below so marks can be awarded for your progress. 2 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 Anatomy of a QR Code: Above is an image of the various sections of a QR code. The three large squares are called finder units, and allow a computer to align itself to the image. The purple bars are called timings and are to be ignored when working out the hidden code (that is imagine that row or column doesn’t even exist – it is not to be counted as a row or column when applying the mask pattern). Highlight these bars a particular colour on your QR code. The second line to the right of the bottom left box contains very important starting information. The first two small boxes of data at the bottom of the line (red above) indicate the ‘error correction level’. 3 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 a) Using the diagram above, determine the error correction level for your QR code (L, M, Q or H). (2 marks) b) The next three boxes indicate the mask pattern used in the QR code. Whenever the masking pattern has a black box, the data corresponding to those black boxes in your QR code must be inverted. For example, if a box in your data was black (=1) but was in a position that was black on the masking pattern, it becomes white (=0). By drawing the mask pattern from your QR code below and matching it to the diagram on page 3, write the equation that represents your QR code’s masking pattern. (2 marks) c) The meaning of % is remainder. For example, 5 % 5 = 0 as 5/5 = 1 with no remainder (=0). Alternatively, 6 % 5 = 1 as 6/5 = 1 with 1 remainder. If we have an equation, such as y % 5 = 0 then we have a list of numbers for y that produce no remainder when divided by 5. The list of numbers indicates the rows, or columns (depending on the diagram on page 3), in your QR codes that must be inverted. Explain what the equation you identified in part (b) means and which rows/columns will be inverted for your QR code. Highlight these rows/columns that are to be inverted on your QR code (page 9 answer sheet). Hint: QR columns are numbered with 1, 2, 3 etc… counting from the bottom to top with column = 1. Rows are counted right to left, with the first row = 1. Also be wary of the timing row/column as mentioned on page 3! (6 marks) d) Now that you are aware of which data will be swapped before you decode it, we can commence our decoding. Page 5 displays a diagram that indicates the order you must read the binary data contained within the QR code. Note that the first Enc box indicates the Encoding type. For you, this is 0100 which is Binary to ASCII. Use the chart at the bottom of page 5 to convert the 8 bit binary you read from the QR code to numbers, symbols and letters. The Len box indicates how many characters, not including Len or Enc, your code has. Make sure you calculate this in the space provided on page 6 before attempting to follow the pattern and decode your QR code. After these two values, you follow the arrows and specific bit order to determine the value of each 8 bit code. Use page 6 for working and write your final case sensitive answer in the box at the bottom. (20 marks) 4 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 5 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 QUESTION 2: BAVURIAN EXTENSIONS (16 MARKS) Communicating through languages empowers individuals to work together. Conversely, secret languages can be used between individuals to deceive others and prevent collaboration. Bavurian is such a language. 12 words translated from English to Bavurian are provided below. In Bavurian, by adding particular endings, depending on a series of 4 rules, the meaning of word actually becomes ‘to the ____’. For example, while hitikp means Armchair, Hitikpken means to the armchair. By analysing the 12 words below, determine the 4 rules used to apply the correct endings and then convert the 8 words on the answer sheet to their ‘to the…’ form in Bavurian. (2 marks for each word) Hitikp Armchair: Hitikpken Jupkin lake: Jupkinkan Agnatsu Ladybug: Agnatsuven Ofuzmat Beach: Ofuzmatkan Toksu Pig: Toksuken Ikted Ball: Iktedven Mukrat Lion: Mukratkan Fasniep Aeroplane: Fasniepken Akrata Horse: Akratakan Aherug Mountain: Aherugkan Aketir Rocket: Aketirvan Ewnagta Cockroach: Ewnagtavan 6 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 QUESTION 3: BAVURIAN CODES (24 MARKS) The Bavurians also enjoy coding in their language to ensure their messages are extra secure. Using the words above and the glossary below, decode the following coded messages to English that are encoded in Bavurian using various coding methods. English Bavurian English Bavurian the fe running speedro a la flew aero is tes chasing chasuro fancied greelip about kello or ro like litmi to top his marren was waren into sigent up see in ni singing lalif song lale at ta on nof sitting flop Note: Bavurians use the English alphabet! a) vu xywkjik jui vbef dej vu xyjyaf b) 7 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 c) afddktjphlhjrxidqwjovtvsdi A = 1 1 1 Hint: 3 steps will be required (conversion to numbers, a rearrangement, then a conversion to letters again). The first word of the code is fe (the in English). d) uv nfpizgpzm dzivm xszhfil uv rpgvw zg gsv lufanzg mr glk oz rpfgvnzg 8 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 CODE BREAKING ANSWER SHEET QUESTION 1 a b c d 9 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 QUESTION 2 Bavurian ‘to the..’ English Bavurian form Cat higutsu Bed areta Towel ekari Cicada jiputsen Museum iktep Garden gaftir Bag jatnep Dog house ikutemat QUESTION 3 a b c d 10 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 STATE DA VINCI DECATHLON 2017 CELEBRATING THE ACADEMIC GIFTS OF STUDENTS IN YEARS 9, 10 &11 CODE BREAKING SOLUTIONS TEAM NUMBER _____________ Q1 Q2 Q3 Total /26 /16 /24 /66 1 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 QUESTION 1: QR CODING (26 MARKS) QR codes are one of the most powerful images we can currently make with ease. Contained within the black and white squares, that represent 1 or 0 respectively, is information that has been coded so computers can easily read and interpret the data. Unlike barcodes, which only operate linearly, these codes can compress many more times the amount of data. Today you will be deciphering the following QR code: Pages 3-5 contain detailed explanations and diagrams that will help you decipher the QR code. Answer the questions on these pages before decoding the QR code and writing your final answer in the box provided on page 6. Note that the answer is case sensitive and may not make any grammatical sense! Be wary that this question will take patience, care and time. Work methodically and make sure to include all working out on the spare pages below so marks can be awarded for your progress. 2 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 Anatomy of a QR Code: Above is an image of the various sections of a QR code. The three large squares are called finder units, and allow a computer to align itself to the image. The purple bars are called timings and are to be ignored when working out the hidden code (that is imagine that row or column doesn’t even exist – it is not to be counted as a row or column when applying the mask pattern). Highlight these bars a particular colour on your QR code. The second line to the right of the bottom left box contains very important starting information. The first two small boxes of data at the bottom of the line (red above) indicate the ‘error correction level’. 3 Task developed by Dylan Sherman, University of Sydney, 2017 a) Using the diagram above, determine the error correction level for your QR code (L, M, Q or H). (2 marks) b) The next three boxes indicate the mask pattern used in the QR code. Whenever the masking pattern has a black box, the data corresponding to those black boxes in your QR code must be inverted.