I hate to make a huge long post, but this is the best way I know to help people out with the mastermind black/white pip logic:
First translation attempt:
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2
Second translation attempt
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
third translation attempt
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4
fourth
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
5 5 5 5
5 5 5 5
fifth
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
6 6 6 6
6 6 6 6
sixth
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
7 7 7 7
7 7 7 7
Write down your results and post it like this:
Symbol 1 and X = white pips + black pips
For eaxmple:
Symbol 1 and 2 = 3 + 3
Symbol 1 and 3 = 3 + 3
Symbol 1 and 4 = 3 + 3
Symbol 1 and 5 = 2 + 3
Symbol 1 and 6 = 3 + 2
Symbol 1 and 7 = 4 + 4
Someone should be able to make a very close guess at what and how many your symbols are, plus whether they are located in the top or bottom half of the tablet, which should get you on your way.
---------OR-----------
You can try to figure it out yourself:
Find the lowest number in each column. (In this case, 2 white and 2 black).
That should be the number of pips related to symbol 1.
Since you only put symbol 1 in the top half of the tablet, logically, you know that there are two of symbol 1 in the top half (black) and two in the bottom half (white).
If you subtract that minimum number (In this case, 2 white and 2 black) from every result, you should end up with how many of each symbol you have.
I'll work through my example:
1st attempt = 3 white + 3 black
My first attempt was half symbol 1 and half symbol 2.
I know I have 2 white and 2 black of my first symbol.
All other pips from that translation must therefore be symbol 2.
Therefore there are two of symbol 2:
one in the top half and one in the bottom half
2nd attempt - 2 of the third symbol (one top, one bottom)
3rd attempt - 2 of the fourth symbol (one top, one bottom)
4th attempt - 1 of the fifth symbol (one top)
5th attempt - 1 of the sixth symbol (one bottom)
6th attempt - 4 of the seventh symbol (two top, two bottom)
So, we now have 16 symbols to work with:
1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 7
Now place your symbols in their respective halves
Tops:
1 1 2 3
4 5 7 7
Bottoms:
1 1 2 3
4 6 7 7
...and translate. You should have 16 pips, in a mix of black and white.
After that it's trial and error, but remember that the top symbols always stay on top, and the bottom symbols always stay on bottom.
When you know for certain, the location of a particular symbol, WRITE IT DOWN. Always insert that symbol in that spot in future guesses, just remember that one of your white pips is a 'known'
If you get stuck, find the two symbols that you have the least of. Go half and half with those two symbols. Try top/bottom, then left/right, then quarters until you have at least two white pips. Then, using a third symbol, start systematically testing it in every spot until you either gain or lose a white pip. If you gained a white pip, then you have it in the right spot. WRITE IT DOWN. If you
lost a white pip, then the symbol you just displaced was in the right spot. Put it back, WRITE IT DOWN and continue moving your test symbol through the tablet.
Sorry this was so long. If it's confusing or too complicated just delete it with your mighty button of moditorial editing.
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