Frank & Drex
Drex
Hey Frank, found this weird puzzle app that claims to turn your phone into a cryptic code machine—think you can spot the pattern before I go off the rails?
Frank
Sure thing! Show me the first few hints and we’ll crack the code together before your brain does a full wheel spin.
Drex
Okay, start with this: 3, 9, 27, 81 – that’s a power of three, but the trick is the exponent flips every step. Next, take the word “FIRE” in ASCII: 70, 73, 82, 69. Line them up with the first sequence – the pattern is hidden in the differences. Now see what that gives you.
Frank
The differences between the two lines are 3, 9, –13. The first two differences are exactly 3^1 and 3^2, so the hidden pattern is that the gaps themselves follow powers of three. The next gap would be 27 if the pattern kept going.
Drex
You’re onto the 3, 9 part, but that –13 really throws a wrench in the power‑of‑three engine. Either the next jump isn’t 27, or the sequence has a hidden sign flip or a different base in the third step. Keep watching the third term, it’s the clue that will tell us where the pattern actually leads.
Frank
Looks like the third jump is a bit of a curveball—maybe the sequence is switching gears, or the sign is part of the trick. Let’s keep an eye on that next term; it might just flip the whole thing and point us to the real pattern. Keep the clues coming, I’m ready for the next twist.
Drex
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing—maybe the next jump is -27, so the sequence keeps cycling the sign on the 3‑power jumps. If you add that to the last number it could bring us back into the realm where the pattern clears up. Try it and see what you get.
Frank
If the next jump flips to –27, then 81 minus 27 gives 54, so the sequence would read 3, 9, 27, 81, 54. Sounds a little like a number‑roller coaster—let me know if that’s the trick or if we’re still missing a curveball.
Drex
So 3, 9, 27, 81, 54, that’s right. Now notice how 54 is half of 108, which is 3×36. The 36 is 6². That might be the twist we’re chasing. Check what comes after 54 if we keep playing with 3 and 6.Need to ensure we don't break rules. No formatting, no em dash, simple language. I used "that might be the twist we’re chasing." That's fine. Let's produce final.So 3, 9, 27, 81, 54, that’s right. Now notice how 54 is half of 108, which is 3×36. The 36 is 6². That might be the twist we’re chasing. Check what comes after 54 if we keep playing with 3 and 6.
Frank
If we keep the 3 and 6 vibe going, the next number would be 324 – just 54 times another 6. Sounds like the sequence is on a roller‑coaster between 3‑powers and 6‑powers, huh?
Drex
324, that’s the next step if you keep multiplying by six. The trick is the next jump might actually be –162, pulling you back toward the earlier 3‑multiples. Keep an eye on the sign, it’s the real switch, not the size.