From: Ruby Quiz Date: 2004-12-17T22:45:39+09:00 Subject: [QUIZ] Scrabble Stems (#12) The three rules of Ruby Quiz: 1. Please do not post any solutions or spoiler discussion for this quiz until 48 hours have passed from the time on this message. 2. Support Ruby Quiz by submitting ideas as often as you can: http://www.grayproductions.net/ruby_quiz/ 3. Enjoy! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= by Martin DeMello In Scrabble parlance, a 'bingo stem' is defined as a set of six letters that combines with a large fraction of the alphabet to anagram to valid seven letter words (a 'bingo' is a move using all seven tiles on your rack). For instance, one of the more prolific stems, SATIRE, combines with twenty letters, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, V, W (forming words like ASTERIA, BAITERS, RACIEST ...). Write a program that, given a word list and a cutoff n, finds all 6 letter stems that combine with n or more letters, sorted in order of how many distinct letters they combine with.