PAG Puzzle Hunt 2025

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Puzzle #2 - Deciphering the Genomic Code: Find the Hidden Crop

Let's consider an empirical nonlinear model that maps the location of a genomic subsequence (x) of specific length (L) to disease resistance (y) in a crop:

y = -0.166(x - 13.4)2 + 27.2

You are provided with the genomic sequences of 5 inbred lines for an unknown crop, along with a riddle that states "beginnings rise like the morning sun, while endings set as the day is done".

Line 1: CGTACCTAGGTCGACGTCGAGTCTGAGCTCG
Line 2: AGCTAGTACTGCATGCAGTAGTATGACCTAG
Line 3: TCACCTAGGATGCGAAGTCGACTGAGTCGAC
Line 4: ATGTGACTGAACCTAGGTTCGACTCGACTGA
Line 5: GACCTAGTCATGCTAGTCGATAAACTAGTGC

Instructions: Compute the disease resistance for the 5 crop lines. Can you decode the results to find the hidden crop?

The solution to the puzzle is a single English word:

Try not to look at these hints unless you get really stuck -- they count against you on the leaderboard!

Hint 1 - early puzzle

Hint 2 - mid puzzle

Hint 3 - late puzzle

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