Minute Mystery: The Palindromic Password

Bite-sized brain teaser to solve in a minute or less.

 

 

The Palindromic Password

A computer system requires a 7-letter palindrome (a word that reads the same forwards and backwards, such as "kayak") as its password. The following clues are provided:

What is the password?

 

 

Solution

Structure of the password: Since the password is a 7-letter palindrome that starts and ends with R and has E as the middle letter, its form is: R - - E - - R A palindrome reads the same forwards and backwards.   Interpreting the clue: The password must describe something that "speeds around a racetrack." A common word for a fast vehicle on a racetrack is "racecar."   Verifying the structure: Write out RACECAR It is 7 letters long. It is a palindrome. It begins and ends with R. The middle (fourth) letter is E. It describes something that speeds around a racetrack. All clues are satisfied The password is "RACECAR."