The mathematical formulae in this clue are snippets from easily identifiable
songs represented in mathematical notation. The variables a through g represent
musical notes that are higher or lower (+/-) from the previous note, and the
fractions denote the length of the note itself. The variable r stands for a
musical rest.
Once players translated the formulae into musical notation, they had to play
the music, identify the song and composer, and fill in the blanks with the
composer names. Teams who solved the PLAYFAIR
bonus clue brought musical instruments such as toy keyboards, a recorder,
and a trumpet to play these songs. The solution sent them to NEWPORT BEACH
LGUARD STATION SEVENTEEN. (Players were not simply given the number 17, as
noted by media
coverage.)
