Listener 4054- The Square Root of 576 by Leo

[Philoctetes]

Good solid crossword this week. No colouring, no coding, no bells.

[midazolam]

one of those crosswords that one can complete without delving into all aspects of the theme

[Silentether]

Does anyone have Listener no. 4052 and would they very kindly email it to me? I was on holiday two weeks ago and my family failed me in the paper buying department, they really didn't understand the importance of the situation!

[kayakamina]

I find I usually carry the crosswords over to Saturday as I don't
have sufficient time on a Friday evening, but this one was pretty straightforward.

[robinruth]

Silentether, I have it and will willingly send it but need an address. Send me one at [email protected]
I wish I was finding this week's so straightforward, Philoctetes, K and Midazolam! I'm slugging and snailing through it.

[AHearer]

Yes, this was reasonably straightforward. I was expecting to have to work a little harder on the end-game, but the first stab I took at it was, well, totally satisfying. Neat, but for me it lacked the "Aha" moment.

[midazolam]

although i should of added that if one does go down that route there is only a 50-50 chance of getting it right

[bobbycollins]

Let’s give it a go then.

I’m only posting to test – I was unable to last week – the site kept bombing me out. Has anybody else experienced this? I’m wondering if it’s an issue with Vista?

[bobbycollins]

Reasonably routine grid fill providing an unambiguous message, although some of the clueing was quite tricky and a welcome challenge.

However, I don’t enjoy this type of endgame at all, but I’ll see what I can do.

[midazolam]

as someone kindly pointed out to me that those odds are in fact reduced to 25% having overlooked a further 2 possibilities! one could end up with square eyes if not careful.

[thebuzz999]

Took longer than it should but I finally got to the end...except I do not understand how the title fits

[Mysterons]

I assume that the title refers to the difference X between the ages of the King (the 'primary constant') and the Wizard who made the charm (the 'logorithmic constant').

(Not sure about midazolam's 'odds' - what are you referring to m ?)

[Cruncher]

Indeed - four possibilities. Nice ambiguity from the setter. Wonder if there's more to the title than you suggest Mysterons. No idea what this King/Wizard stuff is!

[Mysterons]

King Mi and the wizard who made the first runic charm for the king.

X = (3 x fifteen) - (3 x 7) = sq root 576

[turnerjmw]

A neat construction, to be sure, and I agree about the elegance of the four way ambiguity. I found this hard going, but put that down to me being even thicker than usual rather than any particular problem with the clues. It simply took me far too long to see what was going on, not helped by putting a French word in 13a without checking Chambers. Doh! Thanks to Leo, anyway.

[Cruncher]

Thank you Mysterons - I had no idea of the history. I stuck a French word into 13ac in the pub on Friday night which slowed me down too.
I think that this is a really neat crossword. Thanks Leo

[robinruth]

Yes, that French word was the very first I put in and it led me to even greater confusion than various other gaps that I could not fill. (Aaargh!) Thanks to lots of help, I have finally got there but I really admire you hares who cope with such difficult ones as easily (apparently) as the more gentle romps.

[andrewvc12]

Is 25ac in the new Chambers? I can't find what I believe to be the answer in my 2003 edition. Of course I may not have the right answer! Andrew

[Mysterons]

'British' = UK
'indeed' = la

[andrewvc12]

Thanks Mysteron, I had "lo" for indeed. Andrew

[cluelessJoe]

Did not have much time this weekend, but this one seemed ok - quick grid fill, clear enough message, theme (previously unheard of) unravelled. However, having arrived at a final solution which seems to obey the preamble, I'm still uneasy about the relevance of the title. Maybe I ought to take more time to research the background to the theme, but this might just be one of those occasions when I can't be bothered.