Linguistic Puzzle #9

The puzzle was adapted from the book “LINGUISTIC PROBLEMS of the M.V. Lomonosov Tournament with solutions (1994 - 1999)”, Moscow 1999.

This puzzle mixes linguistics, chemical formulas, and a bit of history. It is purely logical and no prior knowledge of chemistry is required to solve it. Please do not search for the translations. The solution to this puzzle will be published in the next Ad Astra issue. Good luck!

Molecular Structure of C9H20 (nonane).

Given are the formulas and names of some chemical compounds: C4H10 (butane), C9H20 (nonane), C10H22 (decane), C18H38 (octadecane), C48H98 (octatetracontane), and C94H190 (tetranonacontane).

Question A. Which of these compounds is named using a different naming principle?
Question B. Write the chemical formulas for the following substances: octane, nonaoctacontane.
Question C. In the calendar from which our calendar originated, what month was the first? Make your best guess. Please note that given the limited information a definitive answer may not be possible.

Please send us your solutions to adastraletter@gmail.com, use "linguistic puzzle Ad Astra 2023, issue #2" as the subject line.


★ Solution of the Linguistic Puzzle 2023, issue #1 (Ad Astra 2023/1):