5 March 2022 | New Scientist | 53The back pages Puzzles
Quick quiz #141
1 What name is given to the study of
recurrent natural events linked to climate,
such as plants flowering or bird migrations?2 How many mathematical problems
did David Hilbert designate as challenges
to be solved in the 20th century?3 Which genus of bacterium was named
for the grape-like clusters it forms?4 How many stable, naturally occurring
isotopes of cobalt are there?5 In which US state is the Very Large Array,
a radio-astronomy observatory?Answers on page 55Puzzle
set by Brian Hobbs#157 Weather or not
At Shady Hills retirement home, Ike and
Eileen are arguing over weather predictions.“I’m telling you, Eileen, it’s going to rain
tomorrow and the next day, and then it
won’t rain on the third day.”“Balderdash, Ike. The way my knee is acting
up, I’m sure that it won’t rain tomorrow,
but it will rain for the following two days.
I’ll bet my Monday night cheesecake on it.”“I’ll take that bet. But what if we’re
both wrong?”“Then we’ll just keep waiting until there
are three consecutive days that match
one of our predictions.”Two of the staff overhear the conversation.
“This time of year, there’s a 50-50 chance
that it will rain on any given day,” says one,
“so I guess their chances are even.”“You’re right about the rain,” says the other.
“But even so, I think one of them has a much
better chance of winning.”Which one, and why?Solution next weekCryptic crossword #78 Set by Rasa
Scribble
zoneAnswers, and
the next quick
crossword,
next weekACROSS
1 Erase front of thin symbol of force (5)
4 Linger protectively around an old house (7)
8 Material stretched across former
lover at hearing (7)
9 I won’t break down reflected
subatomic particle (5)
10 Takes home lepidopterist’s tools (4)
11 Animal that grazes pre-run (8)
13 Star, apparently single, goes off with
a Conservative from the east (6)
15 Male and female keep donkey by
one cluster of mountains (6)
18 Break in to test mucus-like
cave formation (8)
19 Insect page, back at the beginning (4)
22 Seize rogue offering way to achieve
weight loss? (4,1)
23 Once again accept awkward maître d’ (7)
24 Extremely dirty and disgusting
set of rulers (7)
25 Go hunting bird of prey east
of Puerto Rico (5)DOWN
1 As I snare bats, Cam taking morning off (7)
2 Sorta irregular cut of beef (5)
3 Audibly judged what toddlers do
at the seaside (4)
4 Curse Janet’s limitless flammable liquid (6)
5 For example, count guy from Group 18? (8)
6 Regularly avoids companies keeping
uranium flowing slowly (7)
7 Wash out number in jeans measurement (5)
12 Five set goal, bucking potential
differences (8)
14 Athletic activity nearly tore
highlander’s purse (7)
16 Assembled craft with a large,
self-repeating pattern (7)
17 Robust research project involving
gas constant (6)
18 In a way, classified final letter supporting
International System of Units (5)
20 Dance band initially carried by fancy car (5)
21 Pair of Canadians and politician
pitch tents (4)Our crosswords are now solvable online
newscientist.com/crosswords