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Connections Hints for November 9, 2024 #516

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for November 9, 2024 #516

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Yellow Category — November 9, 2024

Green Category — November 9, 2024

Blue Category — November 9, 2024

Purple Category — November 9, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Yellow group — CONTORTED

Why is “GNARLY” in the Yellow group?

twisted or distorted, often used to describe a complex or challenging situation

Purple group — WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

Why is “THRONE” in the Purple group?

a seat, especially for a monarch, also used to refer to a toilet

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (November 9, 2024)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

POWER
Definition: a mathematical operation
Why it's tricky: can also refer to energy or authority
ROOT
Definition: a mathematical concept
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a plant part or a word origin
RADICAL
Definition: a mathematical symbol
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a political or social ideology
TRACE
Definition: a small amount
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a path or a residue

Connections #516 explained

Why these words connect (November 9, 2024)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: CONTORTED

These words all describe something that is bent or distorted, often in a complex or unusual way, such as a gnarly wave or a twisted plot.

Green group: SMALLEST AMOUNT

These words all describe a very small amount of something, such as a lick of ice cream or a shred of paper.

Blue group: ALGEBRA TERMS

These words are all terms used in algebra to describe mathematical operations or concepts, such as exponentiation or finding the root of an equation.

Purple group: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

These words are all used to describe a lavatory or bathroom, often in a more formal or old-fashioned way, such as a powder room or a throne room.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

POWER

Seems like it belongs to: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

Actually belongs to: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'power room' is a term for a lavatory, 'power' is primarily a mathematical concept in this puzzle

ROOT

Seems like it belongs to: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

Actually belongs to: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'root cellar' is a type of room, 'root' is primarily a mathematical concept in this puzzle

RADICAL

Seems like it belongs to: CONTORTED

Actually belongs to: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'radical' can imply a extreme or unconventional idea, in this puzzle it refers to a mathematical symbol

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “POWER” didn't go with WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

Seems like: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY → Actually: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'power room' is a term for a lavatory, 'power' is primarily a mathematical concept in this puzzle

Why “ROOT” didn't go with WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY

Seems like: WORDS BEFORE “ROOM” TO MEAN LAVATORY → Actually: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'root cellar' is a type of room, 'root' is primarily a mathematical concept in this puzzle

Why “RADICAL” didn't go with CONTORTED

Seems like: CONTORTED → Actually: ALGEBRA TERMS

while 'radical' can imply a extreme or unconventional idea, in this puzzle it refers to a mathematical symbol

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