This page highlights all the steps done to complete our "Find The Cow" project using Cesar Cipher. Follow along as I use my code that we created in class to help decrypt the clues to find the lost cow.
Procedure:
First, we watched a video that introduced the Caesar Cipher concept. Afterward, we learned to write a basic Caesar Cipher encryption program using a single key. Through trial and error, we figured out how to make the alphabet list wrap around using %26 to keep the indexing within bounds. Next, we created a decryption function by subtracting the key instead of adding it.
To make the cipher code more complex, we assigned a unique key to each character. We began with 10-digit keys and then expanded to using keys of any length. This involved turning a long string of numbers into a list and using %len(thelist) to cycle through the kets correctly and avoid index errors.
After that, we also built a decryption function for the multi-key version. Finally, we were our final project: locate a missing cow using 5 encryoted messages as clues. Using what we had learned in class, we used our code to try different possibilites to decrypt the clues and find out were the cow was.
Clue 1
Vb. Cajw bjf qxxo yarwcb kh cqn kjlt xo cqn blrnwln lujbbaxxv. Bqn rb yjwrltrwp knljdbn qna lxf qjb pxwn vrbbrwp!
Decrypted: Ms. Tran saw hoof prints by the back of the science classroom. She is panicking because her cow has gone missing!
Clue 2
Tcwn uckf jg ucy vjg eqy jcpikpi qwv ykvj LJ mkfu kp vjg Ewg Swcf gcvkpi okpv ecpfa.
Decrypted: Max said that when he was dropped off this morning, he saw the cow with some JH kids eating mint candy near the Cue Quad.
Clue 3
Tz. Ayhu yljhssz zllpun Tz. Rpun huk Tz. Zhujolg lhapun aol zhtl tpua jhukf.
Decrypted: Someone mentioned seeing Ms. King fill the bowl with mint candies this morning.
Clue 4
Awumwvm nwcvl i kivlg ezixxmz eqbp “Kitt um” ezqbbmv vmfb bw i vcujmz: 650806
Decrypted: A student found a mint wrapper near the snack shack with a scribbled note: call me at 650806
Clue 5
Tt wnk zbxrj bhk jwf. Ib cjssnj tw Sb. Bgscpef’z xlkike cv pky katmf, zmev nduo uzt woco cnj RH tplb.
Decrypted: No one stole the cow. It walked to Ms. Sanchez’s office to get candy, then hung out with the JH kids.
Solution:
For clues 1-4, Nico and I used our Caeser Cipher code from class to decrypt the messages. We made the code so that we would input a message (the clue), and it would decrypt it 26 ways. If the clue (encrypted message) had a key greater than one digit, then we could still see a bit of the decrypted message (a few letters/words/phrases to help use get more information about the message). Afterwards, we plugged in the information of what we knew and then for the rest of the letters, we found the distance between the letter and the mystery letter using the context of the message. For the last clue, it was slightly different. Ms. Tran gave us a hint that the key was a 10-digit one, and in the 5th clue, she gave us the first 6 letters. Nico and I previously found out that the first sentence of the encrypted message was "No one stole the cow." based on previous attempts. With this information and knowing that the key was 10 digits long, we wrote out the alphabet and wrote out these messages: "Tt wnk zbxrj bhk jwf." and "No one stole the cow." to determine what the key was. First, I confirmed that the first 6 digits of the key were 650806 because that is the hint that Ms. Tran gave in clue 5. Then, to find the last 4 digits, I looked at the alphabet, corresponded each letter, and found age distance between the letters to find the key. Last, I used my Caesar Cipher code to decrypt the clue using the key that I found: 6508069789.
Reflection: SOUL
S - Strength: My strength for this project was problem solving. When Nico and I lost hope because we didn't know how to solve the clues, I did my best to stay focused and work through every possible solution. With lots of teamwork and collaboration efforts, we ended up solving the clues and finishing the project.
O - Opportunity: A missed opportunity I had this project was that I sometimes didn't manage my time very well. I sometimes found myself getting off track, and probably could've spent around 10 more minutes of productive work time. Nico and I didn't finish the project in one class, but we finished it very quickly in the next class. If we managed our time better, we could've finished our project in one class period, and I would have more time to work on my portfolio in class.
U - Understanding: After completing this project, I have a better understanding of Caesar Cipher code. This project was like extended practice/classwork and allowed us to deepen our understanding of using our own knowledge to use the code we created. I do not fully understand Caesar Cipher code, but I definitely learned a lot.
L - Limitation: One limitation I had this project was that I had some bugs in my code that were time-consuming to fix. It took a while to find them at first, but once I did, it was super satisfying to see the code run correctly. Sometimes I had to change up my code in order to encrypt/decrypt a message, or find the key, so that also took up a bit more time than I was hoping.
Reflection: WISCR
W
I - Insightful and Critical Thinker: This project, I believe that I was an insightful and critical thinker
S
C - Clear Communicator:
R