3VWO Mathematics Project: "Encryption and Coding (2024-2025)"
About The Project
This web application was developed as part of a 3VWO mathematics project on "Encryption and Coding".
The assignment challenges students to explore the history of secret writing, ranging from ancient
techniques to the sophisticated machines of World War II.
For my contribution to the project, I chose to research and build an interactive demonstration of the
Polybius Square—an ancient Greek cipher invented by the historian Polybius around
200 BC.
Built with Antigravity
To bring this concept to life, I collaborated with Antigravity, an advanced AI
coding assistant. This partnership allowed me to quickly transform a mathematical concept into a
fully functional, premium-quality web application. The result is not just a static report but an
educational tool that allows users to:
- Encrypt and decrypt messages in real-time.
- Interact with a dynamic 5x5 grid.
- Learn the history and mechanism of the cipher through an integrated onboarding guide.
Assignment Context: "Over Geheimschrift en Coderen"
The following context is based on the project booklet.
The Historical Backdrop
The project is set against the dramatic backdrop of World War II. While the war ended militarily in
1945, experts believe it could have lasted much longer without the work of codebreakers at
Bletchley Park.
It was there that mathematicians worked tirelessly to crack the Enigma Code—the
complex cipher used by the German military. The Enigma machine, with its rotors and plugboard, could
generate a billiard (10^15) possible combinations, changing every day. Cracking this code gave the
Allies a crucial strategic advantage.
The Mission
Just as the codebreakers of Bletchley Park deciphered messages to reveal hidden truths, our class
assignment is to study, understand, and implement various forms of encryption.
The Roadmap detailed in the booklet:
- Research: Investigate different ciphers (Morse, Caesar,
Polybius, etc.).
- Explain: Create clear, step-by-step guides for each method.
- Create: Design an "Escape Room" or game using these ciphers to challenge our
classmates.
This web app serves as the ultimate realization of the "Polybius Square" research component—taking
the step-by-step guide and turning it into an interactive experience.