Can you solve the prisoner hat riddle? - Alex Gendler

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  • Опубліковано 4 жов 2015
  • View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/can-you-sol...
    Want more? Try the buried treasure riddle: • Can you solve the buri...
    You and nine other individuals have been captured by super-intelligent alien overlords. The aliens think humans look quite tasty, but their civilization forbids eating highly logical and cooperative beings. Unfortunately, they’re not sure whether you qualify, so they decide to give you all a test. Can you solve this hat riddle? Alex Gendler shows how.
    Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Artrake Studio.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 17 тис.

  • @TEDEd
    @TEDEd  2 роки тому +1575

    Thanks for watching! If you want to try your hand at more brain-busting riddles, or learn about wacky creatures, hidden historical figures, the secrets of space, weird body questions you don’t want ask aloud (and so much more!) make sure to subscribe to our channel ➡️ bit.ly/TEDEdSubscribe Stay tuned and stay curious!

    • @dylanhna
      @dylanhna 2 роки тому +21

      Hmmm why would you make this comment like five years later?

    • @kappakazii47
      @kappakazii47 2 роки тому +9

      why comment 5 years later 😬

    • @chiefhiim5253
      @chiefhiim5253 2 роки тому +6

      Five years later lol

    • @DoodleNoodle129
      @DoodleNoodle129 2 роки тому

      TED-Ed is just irrational, don’t expect their situations to make much sense

    • @yuni3124
      @yuni3124 2 роки тому

      early hehehe

  • @ishaangupta5936
    @ishaangupta5936 2 роки тому +6011

    Unfortunately when you pick 10 humans at random there's gonna be a lot of idiots

    • @criticalpanda6172
      @criticalpanda6172 2 роки тому +133

      *only idiots

    • @gayathrimenon9357
      @gayathrimenon9357 2 роки тому +12

      Hahahah

    • @stevenhenry3743
      @stevenhenry3743 2 роки тому +22

      You don't need 10
      Godzilla tried to play PICO PARK with 7 randoms but have stroke and fking died

    • @dede4375
      @dede4375 2 роки тому +38

      So true, and I would be one of them : Even after hearing the explanation I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off, AND IT'S LITERALLY A VIDEO WITH DRAWING.

    • @notesmaker204
      @notesmaker204 2 роки тому +20

      Wait till they picked up some karens.

  • @rudrasatwik5346
    @rudrasatwik5346 5 років тому +6410

    "Now it all comes down to you, in the front of the line."
    *Curses genetics for making him short*

    • @awesomesause4836
      @awesomesause4836 4 роки тому +7

      No i be middel

    • @Molowa369
      @Molowa369 4 роки тому +22

      awesome sauce r/whoooosh

    • @user-iv4pf8rc5y
      @user-iv4pf8rc5y 4 роки тому +8

      im the shortest 145 at the age of 11

    • @Emilia-tg4lt
      @Emilia-tg4lt 4 роки тому +2

      린제니 I’m 10 and I’m 146 LOL

    • @user-iv4pf8rc5y
      @user-iv4pf8rc5y 4 роки тому +7

      @@Emilia-tg4lt ye thats what i mean by ' im the shortest '

  • @TurkishKS
    @TurkishKS 2 роки тому +2224

    Even if one person in the group could figure this out, imagine trying to explain this strategy to 9 other average humans in 5 minutes.

    • @sukhvinderbura1572
      @sukhvinderbura1572 11 місяців тому +11

      That's what I thought 😂😂😂😂

    • @jasonbig1353
      @jasonbig1353 11 місяців тому +17

      But I immediately understand within seconds.

    • @davidwestin6345
      @davidwestin6345 10 місяців тому +49

      @@jasonbig1353🤓

    • @ninelife08
      @ninelife08 10 місяців тому +4

      You can explain this in 30 seconds. Its easily understood.

    • @NylonEpoxy
      @NylonEpoxy 9 місяців тому

      you trusting society tho? there are lots on incompetent people out there.@@ninelife08

  • @gabereese8645
    @gabereese8645 Рік тому +281

    Realistically, the aliens would've also said that they aren't allowed to touch their hats, or otherwise remove them from theirs or each others' heads, to prevent them from just looking at their hats or switching them around.

    • @leokan9860
      @leokan9860 3 місяці тому +3

      That doesn’t change anything at all

  • @chenjiafan7464
    @chenjiafan7464 4 роки тому +38563

    Me an intellectual: *takes off my hat and looks because it’s not against the rules*

    • @mike0461
      @mike0461 4 роки тому +1084

      stole a top comment but add a meme niiiice

    • @chenjiafan7464
      @chenjiafan7464 4 роки тому +603

      Heh Heh it’s a top comment? Didn’t see it.

    • @Charlie-tw3ef
      @Charlie-tw3ef 4 роки тому +273

      Stop trying to cover it up

    • @HanhNguyen-ml5jy
      @HanhNguyen-ml5jy 4 роки тому +91

      it right dude

    • @sonya1157
      @sonya1157 4 роки тому +307

      CA Drawing///no joke I didn’t see it either not everyone sees the same top comment...

  • @dkssudgktpady
    @dkssudgktpady 4 роки тому +25257

    only one serious problem of this riddle : everyone must understand your plan

    • @eliasheinrich5617
      @eliasheinrich5617 3 роки тому +1571

      Well the alien says you have 5 minutes to discuss, so you and your friends can discuss and agree on that plan :)

    • @june756
      @june756 3 роки тому +740

      That's why it's a test to see that the whole group is qualified or not.😂

    • @sanae45
      @sanae45 3 роки тому +163

      @@eliasheinrich5617 so why won't the tallest person says all hats colours starting with the first guy?

    • @joselopez7642
      @joselopez7642 3 роки тому +29

      Odd or Even Private Pyle!!!!

    • @danieldavid3766
      @danieldavid3766 3 роки тому +509

      @@sanae45 They literally said they weren't able to do that.

  • @hithereireallysuck
    @hithereireallysuck Рік тому +42

    3:25 Was this whole thing just a setup to call me short? Because you're absolutely correct, and I applaud you for calling me out in such a subtle, yet clever fashion!

  • @udaypatel9596
    @udaypatel9596 Рік тому +58

    One of the best riddles I have ever seen, Thank you Ted-Ed. Please bring some more videos.

  • @canadianrage5224
    @canadianrage5224 2 роки тому +15405

    Imagine actually coming up with this genius plan and spending the next 5 minutes carefully explaining it to everyone, just for the last person to screw up and cost everyone their lives.

    • @asdfjkl981
      @asdfjkl981 2 роки тому +489

      imagine coming up with this plan and while explaining it you recognize the 2 guys that waited on the exit side of the revolving door at the mall.

    • @joycekelly5935
      @joycekelly5935 2 роки тому +476

      Imagining everyone understanding the plan without starting a petty fight with someone for no reason

    • @drawnwithlove3499
      @drawnwithlove3499 2 роки тому +424

      I've been in enough group projects to know it at least takes 1 hour to decide who's the 'leader' of the group, another 2 hours to come up with a plan, and there'd at least 2 people who did not listen at all

    • @finnturner4554
      @finnturner4554 2 роки тому +158

      technically, if that happened, there would be a 50% chance of survival because the first guy had a 50% chance of saying his color.

    • @samuelsoliday4381
      @samuelsoliday4381 2 роки тому +95

      @Zwei Stern No, he's right. If the last guy messed up, then your survival would depend on whether or not the first guy got his hat correct.

  • @anikabhardwaj1613
    @anikabhardwaj1613 4 роки тому +11409

    Imagine everything is going as planned and the last person calculates his colour wrong and everyone dies

    • @Thethor222
      @Thethor222 4 роки тому +87

      i think it would be like no more than 5 ppl and they get eaten xD (even with showing this video )

    • @shadowdsfire
      @shadowdsfire 4 роки тому +65

      50% chance

    • @vismaysriram2757
      @vismaysriram2757 4 роки тому +8

      @Racoon Gaming omg I laughed so hard at this 🤣🤣

    • @VishnuPanick
      @VishnuPanick 4 роки тому +4

      Lol

    • @mr.sansman5341
      @mr.sansman5341 4 роки тому +16

      Actually you need at least nine, so one can fail

  • @ChanwooPark-me1wc
    @ChanwooPark-me1wc 2 роки тому +178

    이런 수수께끼들은 항상 다양한 관점에서 생각해 보아야 풀리는 것 같습니다. 정말 생각지도 못한 해답이었네요. 가끔씩 이런 문제들을 풀면 지루한 일상에서 벗어나는 기분이 듭니다. 앞으로도 이런 영상 많이 기대하겠습니다!

    • @macalisteryoung8830
      @macalisteryoung8830 11 місяців тому +13

      for the people who don't know he said "These riddles always seem to be solved by thinking from different perspectives. That was a really unexpected answer. Sometimes solving riddles like these makes you feel like escaping from boring life. I look forward to more videos like this in the future!"

    • @coolestcars1983
      @coolestcars1983 10 місяців тому

      @@macalisteryoung8830thx

    • @cubefromblender
      @cubefromblender 10 місяців тому

      No

    • @lorenselvaraj963
      @lorenselvaraj963 7 місяців тому +1

      ​@@macalisteryoung8830 There's an option to see translation😂

    • @Handles_suck444
      @Handles_suck444 4 місяці тому

      👍

  • @its_nifler
    @its_nifler Рік тому +26

    This is probably one of my all time favorite Ted Ed riddles!

  • @kingmuddy5898
    @kingmuddy5898 4 роки тому +2574

    "You have 5 minutes to discuss"
    Me: pull a out phone, shows video

    • @et496
      @et496 4 роки тому +4

      King Muddy lol

    • @amnazar9348
      @amnazar9348 4 роки тому +48

      "lets google it"

    • @AsifIqbal-qb5fs
      @AsifIqbal-qb5fs 4 роки тому +52

      Just in case im gonna download this video

    • @abbeyscott2321
      @abbeyscott2321 4 роки тому +10

      @Ashley Playz Data, duh

    • @yueshijoorya601
      @yueshijoorya601 4 роки тому +14

      @Ashley Playz Look at the reply immediately above yours.

  • @PaintToSample
    @PaintToSample 4 роки тому +4141

    "It all comes down to you"
    Me: wHiTe

    • @zahranikpour3886
      @zahranikpour3886 3 роки тому +154

      If I was ever in that scenario, that would happen

    • @Niiue
      @Niiue 3 роки тому +82

      ummm-
      *gets erased*

    • @saymeownow3838
      @saymeownow3838 3 роки тому +42

      @Crewmate Zack Mobile What do you MEAN proof? IT'S A JOKE

    • @saymeownow3838
      @saymeownow3838 3 роки тому +12

      @Crewmate Zack Mobile I guess that makes sense, you are a crewmate. Got medbay scan to prove it tho?

    • @saymeownow3838
      @saymeownow3838 3 роки тому +4

      @Crewmate Zack Mobile ok good

  • @Opposition2
    @Opposition2 11 місяців тому +181

    We did this in special ed class a while ago, and it was quite a traumatizing experience, as my classmates didnt explain it to me and I kept failing everytime, so I went crying in the corner

  • @ButRedman
    @ButRedman 2 роки тому +46

    Wish me luck fellas, I'm going to binge-watch this entire series.
    Every single riddle.
    I'll update you all every riddle on how my progress is going. See you on the flipside!

    • @aena_
      @aena_ 2 роки тому +1

      goodluck bro

    • @helplessnarwhal3722
      @helplessnarwhal3722 Рік тому +2

      Nathani(ae idk how to type)l Hue Redman, are you back? Did you complete your journey? It’s been 8 months and your family is worried about you. Come home.

    • @ButRedman
      @ButRedman Рік тому +9

      @@helplessnarwhal3722 I have completed my journey, I just forgot to update lol

    • @UnknownUser-qf2xz
      @UnknownUser-qf2xz Рік тому +4

      @@ButRedman bruh

    • @vivek_02512
      @vivek_02512 11 місяців тому

      ​@@ButRedman then update bruv it's been another 9 months

  • @anonymousanonymous1338
    @anonymousanonymous1338 2 роки тому +7218

    Alternate strategy: Take off your hat and look. It's still allowed via the rules given

    • @itsonlydanteluv
      @itsonlydanteluv 2 роки тому +164

      thats what i said

    • @asdfjkl981
      @asdfjkl981 2 роки тому +180

      You were not supposed to do that! meme

    • @6timesbabyyy996
      @6timesbabyyy996 2 роки тому +319

      Big brains
      See it's guys like the guy making the video that would get everyone killed trying to be clever. Always exploit the rules

    • @shellrockguy9761
      @shellrockguy9761 2 роки тому +47

      Huge head, big brain, thicc thinker

    • @hhgetz
      @hhgetz 2 роки тому +23

      bill cipher you are smart. i await your return

  • @bub3124
    @bub3124 3 роки тому +8127

    blind person: *exists*
    the nine other prisoners: yeah we're screwed

    • @nagapro3693
      @nagapro3693 2 роки тому +250

      Not really.. Keep the blind person in the front. since he doesnt have to see or count the odd even thingy.. He just have to say the color of his hat without doing the math. The rest 9 people still could see... so???

    • @maicoljaviercabreravasquez1554
      @maicoljaviercabreravasquez1554 2 роки тому +597

      @@nagapro3693 But by the rules, the other nine have to be lucky enough the blind person is the shortest of all.

    • @TheFinalMB
      @TheFinalMB 2 роки тому +484

      @@maicoljaviercabreravasquez1554 Nothing saying you can’t modify the height of members of your party before it starts. Sacrifice 1 persons legs to save everyone.

    • @coolperson8272
      @coolperson8272 2 роки тому +141

      @@TheFinalMB I mean, you’re not wrong

    • @sravanthch2879
      @sravanthch2879 2 роки тому +68

      @@TheFinalMB uff harsh but that's the best lol

  • @florianhovelmann2192
    @florianhovelmann2192 Рік тому +43

    This can be extended to any amount of colors. Let's say we have three colors red, green and blue. First we assign a value to each red=0, green=1, blue=2. The person starting to guess a color adds up the color values of each hat he sees and takes it modulo 3. For example for a lineup of (r,g,g,r,b,g) the sum would be 1+1+0+2+1=5%3=2, so he says blue. The next one does a similar calculation 1+0+2+1=4%3=1 and subtracts this from what the last person has said, leading to 2-1=1=green and so on.
    Interestingly, the riddle gets simpler if you use an infinite amount of colors. Again assigning values to them, and for simplicity just consider the values instead of colors. The person starting simply adds up all the values and says the corresponding color. Now the next person does the same and subtracts the result from what the last person said. So for a lineup of (12,2,43,29,1), the first one says 2+43+29+1=75, the second 75-(43+29+1)=2 and so on.

    • @LordOfNothingreally
      @LordOfNothingreally 8 місяців тому +12

      If you tried to make me do math like that under that kind of stress I'd just tell the aliens to fucken eat me!

    • @azrield1
      @azrield1 5 місяців тому

      I'm not sure it's working, it's not enough to subtract the sum I see from what the last one said.. example: 0,1,2,1 - the first says 1+2+1=4%3=1. The second sees 2+1=3%3=0 so he says 1-0=1 (good), the next one sees 1 so he says 1-1=0 - wrong!
      I believe the correct solution is to set a bit: in the first turn it's what the first person says (i.e., (total sum)%3) and then on each turn, the bit is set to: (what the one before last said) minus (what the last person said)
      So in the above example, the first one says 1, the second has bit=1 and sees 0 so he says 1-0=1. the next one has bit=1-1=0, and sees 1 so he says (0-1)%3=2, the next person has bit (0-2)%3=1 and sees 0 so he says 1-0=1

    • @kavithaelan
      @kavithaelan 3 місяці тому

      How do we know red is not eight and purple is ten

    • @nazeemaparker3779
      @nazeemaparker3779 2 місяці тому

      🎉😢😮

    • @nazeemaparker3779
      @nazeemaparker3779 2 місяці тому

      I❤love you

  • @TheBigGuyBillyBob
    @TheBigGuyBillyBob 5 місяців тому +2

    Adisson Anderson is legitimately one of my favorite people on earth. His voice is the one all of my positive thoughts are set in.

  • @turtleshell8835
    @turtleshell8835 2 роки тому +7649

    honestly, if this plan was explained to me without any visuals within 5 minutes, i wouldn't even understand it 💀

    • @veniceomamalin9916
      @veniceomamalin9916 2 роки тому +306

      So ur that one dude that fudges it up

    • @suella7505
      @suella7505 2 роки тому +71

      @@veniceomamalin9916 Me too

    • @_sinco_clair_2301
      @_sinco_clair_2301 2 роки тому +166

      @@veniceomamalin9916 that's what usually happen when you pick 10 humans at random 🤣

    • @mubashshirmalik2220
      @mubashshirmalik2220 2 роки тому +25

      You are not alone😔

    • @V0XXEN
      @V0XXEN 2 роки тому +11

      Same

  • @upanital
    @upanital 3 роки тому +3470

    "They're not sure if you qualify."
    O u c h -

    • @bwaf7310
      @bwaf7310 3 роки тому +74

      Thb they probably saw a Karen yelling at a bird

    • @vixi6277
      @vixi6277 3 роки тому +8

      @@bwaf7310 lmao

    • @CheeseTheWhistle
      @CheeseTheWhistle 3 роки тому +17

      I'm not even sure if we qualify! And I'm a human!

    • @ChrisHinners008
      @ChrisHinners008 2 роки тому +1

      Me: bro is that a challenge?

    • @ChrisHinners008
      @ChrisHinners008 2 роки тому +2

      You just insulted my entire race of people
      BUT YES

  • @lucy-rd7re
    @lucy-rd7re Рік тому +23

    my comp-sci teacher used to give us this problem when we started the logic module. it takes surprisingly long for a group of 12 year olds to figure out a solution for this.

    • @amamapapsneo5635
      @amamapapsneo5635 8 місяців тому

      I never found the answer to this riddle by myself lmao, not even when I was 12

  • @jakeadler1149
    @jakeadler1149 4 роки тому +8400

    Teachers would win cause they have eyes in the back of their head

  • @daborshy4089
    @daborshy4089 7 років тому +3464

    That's really clever. Too bad you'd never be able to get 9 average humans to understand the strategy in under 5 minutes.

    • @daborshy4089
      @daborshy4089 7 років тому +37

      What comments are you talking about? Most people who figured it out probably paused it to think about it for a while, so it took more than 5 minutes. And if 9 people out of 8 million viewers instantly grasped the solution, that doesn't mean it would be realistic for a random group of 9 people to figure it out (worse odds than winning the lottery). Not to mention, a handful of people out of 8 million would be above average by definition.

    • @vhs3760
      @vhs3760 7 років тому +18

      nah they don't all have to figure it out for themselves, it just has to be explained to them...like how it has been explained to us, in this five minute video :)

    • @kkat069
      @kkat069 7 років тому +1

      XD

    • @kkat069
      @kkat069 7 років тому +13

      well it took him 4 to do this so i am a pretty average person,... im not smart.... but i got it so i think it would work

    • @passer2by
      @passer2by 7 років тому +3

      That takes a really good lecturer, a marker pen, and a white board.

  • @sbsprinklekitthefirst
    @sbsprinklekitthefirst Рік тому +2

    this is actually nostalgia for me, used to watch this all the time with my older sister and i always remember asking "can we watch the colour riddle again"? (colour riddle as in this riddle). i miss those days damn

  • @juliek9401
    @juliek9401 2 роки тому

    Nice explanation. Helped alot

  • @NoConsequenc3
    @NoConsequenc3 8 років тому +2077

    The aliens never said I couldn't take my hat off and look at it.
    Seems FAR easier than the explanation given in the video ;)

    • @puritech1609
      @puritech1609 8 років тому +74

      +Pseudo Lain But they have to demonstrate that they are highly logical and co-operative to not be eaten lol
      The point is to not get eaten by aliens not find loopholes in their rules :p

    • @NoConsequenc3
      @NoConsequenc3 8 років тому +145

      Puri Tech
      Nah man, they said I needed to pass the test to prove I was highly logical and co-operative. They didn't say I had to solve the test USING those characteristics.

    • @puritech1609
      @puritech1609 8 років тому +40

      Pseudo Lain Tell that to the hungry aliens hahah

    • @cittrangenericlastname8616
      @cittrangenericlastname8616 8 років тому +16

      +Pseudo Lain
      It really is.
      And that works for *any* color hat.

    • @jacobjester5348
      @jacobjester5348 8 років тому

      +Pseudo Lain Yes, very

  • @thefiresnakevenom
    @thefiresnakevenom 2 роки тому +3336

    "Can you think of a strategy guaranteed to save everyone?"
    "No, no, I can't."

  • @vieira6229
    @vieira6229 2 роки тому

    Upload more riddles please

  • @__0a
    @__0a Рік тому +3

    I understood it after watching it twice.
    It was very refreshing when I understood it.

  • @firebird5570
    @firebird5570 5 років тому +1253

    "...Unfortunately, they're not sure you qualify."
    *ROASTED*

    • @TheRagscode3
      @TheRagscode3 4 роки тому +24

      Seeing how this society is, I understand

    • @christianali5431
      @christianali5431 4 роки тому

      Fire Bird we let the media tell us that the world is going to end for no other reason than the fact that Donald Trump become president. That’s how “intelligent“ humans are.

    • @CheeseTheWhistle
      @CheeseTheWhistle 3 роки тому

      *airhorns*

    • @CheeseTheWhistle
      @CheeseTheWhistle 3 роки тому +1

      @@christianali5431 the same president who told us to inject disinfectants and cleaners into our bloodstream

  • @DanielLee-dw6gq
    @DanielLee-dw6gq 3 роки тому +7525

    I don’t think anyone noticed but Ted thinks we are short.

    • @kurootetsurou1038
      @kurootetsurou1038 3 роки тому +280

      Me , a 4'8 : *nervously sweating*

    • @happynightmares4688
      @happynightmares4688 3 роки тому +55

      @@kurootetsurou1038 1'8 dead

    • @user-wy8bi2hm1h
      @user-wy8bi2hm1h 3 роки тому +102

      @@kurootetsurou1038 how tf you get that small bro 😐

    • @elixeiichan6408
      @elixeiichan6408 3 роки тому +23

      @@kurootetsurou1038 Kuroo you're like taller than tsukki and tsukki is taller than 6 ft 😳

    • @kurootetsurou1038
      @kurootetsurou1038 3 роки тому +10

      @@user-wy8bi2hm1h blame my genes 🤝 i am a cis girl btw

  • @jimintae3284
    @jimintae3284 2 роки тому

    this channel is my love

  • @StarsShatteredBeyond
    @StarsShatteredBeyond Місяць тому +5

    “But their civilisation forbids eating highly logical and cooperative beings” That does not describe humanity at all 💀

  • @memeperor_
    @memeperor_ 7 років тому +2274

    I don't think I could get my dumbass friends to do this correctly lmao.

    • @Ba12a198
      @Ba12a198 7 років тому +21

      EggSensei You just have to take off your hat, it's not against the rules if you stay facing forward in line

    • @MitchBurns
      @MitchBurns 7 років тому +27

      I agree. Although the strategy is sound, it is pretty unlikely that the people wouldn't screw it up.

    • @reallyann0yingdin0saur65
      @reallyann0yingdin0saur65 7 років тому +2

      lol same

    • @moop.3549
      @moop.3549 7 років тому +4

      gahaahah yes same

    • @cj1101
      @cj1101 7 років тому +2

      EggSensei same

  • @gaygremlin2882
    @gaygremlin2882 5 років тому +4693

    Everyone: **uses the logic and remembers and gets their color right*
    that one person: purple, haha get it
    **everyone gets eaten**

    • @icardian
      @icardian 5 років тому +68

      Dan the Intellectual 1:09

    • @keirafay4969
      @keirafay4969 5 років тому +14

      Hedwig HEDWIG OMG YOU’RE ALIVE

    • @mightyslime4120
      @mightyslime4120 5 років тому +3

      Six six six likes

    • @brownfamily1892
      @brownfamily1892 5 років тому +5

      ATLEAST NINE CORRECT, remember?

    • @blueberrysponge42
      @blueberrysponge42 5 років тому +14

      Bohbo still, there’s a 50% chance that the first person was wrong.

  • @Sw4gr1
    @Sw4gr1 9 місяців тому +2

    i don’t know why but when I watched this video as a kid it made me have trouble sleeping

  • @hayaqazi2959
    @hayaqazi2959 Рік тому +1

    You have to love Ted-Ed's riddles.

  • @medicmist
    @medicmist 4 роки тому +2948

    Plot twist: Everyone is from a different part of the world and doesent speak the same language and we die since we cant understand each other

    • @hookedonphones1681
      @hookedonphones1681 4 роки тому +104

      1st in Line: “Blanca” Me: Okay I didn’t know Blanca was in our line but that doesn’t tell me the color

    • @meowkitten1656
      @meowkitten1656 3 роки тому +7

      Lol

    • @nitishasharma9884
      @nitishasharma9884 3 роки тому +129

      @Mystic mist2 they can use the universal translator app😉 plot hole in the plot twist

    • @falcon-vx3cc
      @falcon-vx3cc 3 роки тому +7

      @@Whos_Sophie111 They had 5 minutes to discuss and come up with a plan

    • @falcon-vx3cc
      @falcon-vx3cc 3 роки тому +6

      @@Whos_Sophie111 There was no line then and they could have said anything and used the app

  • @kphantom
    @kphantom 8 років тому +1398

    I get the riddle. It's smart. But can't help but not trust it since the odds of those 9 other people with me being morons are much higher.

    • @jakesmjcammell
      @jakesmjcammell 8 років тому +62

      Yeah, that bugged me too. It'd take waaay more than 5 minutes to explain this to Joe average. One fuckwit and the chain is broken.

    • @_lithp
      @_lithp 8 років тому +2

      +Kamel, K
      My thought's exactly. Some of them look like children too.

    • @georgecataloni4720
      @georgecataloni4720 8 років тому +15

      I guess humans aren't smart enough to avoid being alien chow.

    • @sabaca304
      @sabaca304 8 років тому +3

      +Kamel, K Perhaps Humans aren't "highly logical and cooperative beings" then, wich is sadly true. Also refering to everyone in this excact thread.

    • @mayurdawani9486
      @mayurdawani9486 8 років тому

      +Kamel, K that was exactly what what I was thinking. (Muh ki baat sheen lee-----A Hindi Proverb for that)

  • @barbaraandklee6760
    @barbaraandklee6760 День тому +1

    I love watching science videos before bed, a new follower right here!😅

  • @najatarabia741
    @najatarabia741 8 місяців тому

    The first one will say the colr of the second one? Then the second one will either count to three before saying the color (which means he/she sees the following hat with a different folor) or shout the colour immediately (indicating the following hat has the same colour) and so on. Everyone will know the plan and wait for how long the person before them needs to tell the color of the hat

  • @themoland5981
    @themoland5981 4 роки тому +1364

    3:08 she looked behind her, EAT HER!!!

  • @JustThatRandomTroll
    @JustThatRandomTroll 8 років тому +3240

    Thanks TED-Ed, I now know what to do when I have to prove my logic to human-eating aliens! :D

    • @someguy7869
      @someguy7869 8 років тому +2

      +Demoman I'll notafiy your next of kin, that your smart!!! lel

    • @AmateurAsh94
      @AmateurAsh94 8 років тому +2

      +Ronnie “Madolite” Solbakken Um don't think that would be a problem. The narrator claims the solution works for any combination of hats. As far as I'm aware, it's consistent across the board. Please explain.

    • @FireCalvinMaster
      @FireCalvinMaster 8 років тому

      +Demoman Never mind, that. The aliens just went for a beer run. I mean, huddah huddah and all that pyro stuff. I'm not a robot.

    • @BasilOmoriFan
      @BasilOmoriFan 8 років тому +4

      WE ARE IN THE BEAM

    • @Tiguiso
      @Tiguiso 8 років тому

      +Demoman we are in the beam

  • @magnustruther
    @magnustruther 4 місяці тому

    i remember watching this when i was 7 as one of the first youtube videos i'd ever watched, first time being exposed to youtube, and i was in my parent's room since they were both gone that weekend, (i was home with my siblings and grandma) and i was alone. somehow, i was terrified after watching this, so it's kind of nostalgic rewatching this 6 years later

  • @persephonebby
    @persephonebby Рік тому

    this is the only one of these riddles that i’ve ever solved

  • @tanishqgupta5483
    @tanishqgupta5483 4 роки тому +14247

    I just love how Ted creates a backstory and then goes into detail to make it as logical as possible. E.g the universal translator app

  • @JamesThompson-zu3bq
    @JamesThompson-zu3bq 6 років тому +2311

    0:48 Silly aliens, why would they turn the humans to ash if they misbehave, it means no more lunch. Who’s highly logical now?

    • @Star-nl5id
      @Star-nl5id 6 років тому +76

      james thompson. They may only eat ash

    • @thaibinhnguyen3487
      @thaibinhnguyen3487 5 років тому +31

      this not ash.this is grilled meat balls haha

    • @JamesThompson-zu3bq
      @JamesThompson-zu3bq 5 років тому +58

      Nolan Chojnacki, 1:19 they have a knife and fork, doubt that’s good for eating ash

    • @JD-iv9ol
      @JD-iv9ol 5 років тому +26

      @@JamesThompson-zu3bq its not a fork its a quad spoon

    • @helenvistan3331
      @helenvistan3331 5 років тому +9

      james thompson well, they still aren’t sure if humans are highly logical.

  • @wyattskinner697
    @wyattskinner697 9 місяців тому +2

    Tell the aliens they have green eyes, this will give you more more time to escape without them looking.

  • @sourrlemons
    @sourrlemons 2 роки тому +1

    "Now, it all comes down to you, at the front of the line"
    *are you calling me short?!?*

  • @monkiram
    @monkiram 7 років тому +3440

    This is the most ingenious riddle I have ever come across. It makes perfect sense, it's not confusing and the solution would clearly work, but I would never have figured it out, no matter how much I thought about it.

    • @Parkourist
      @Parkourist 7 років тому +2

      +++++++

    • @thevampirex7726
      @thevampirex7726 7 років тому +54

      if someone is going to kill you then you will be able to figure it out.

    • @p4n1c1t3
      @p4n1c1t3 7 років тому +82

      Except for the fact that it's not agaisnt the rules to take off your hat and look at it.

    • @buzzlightyearpfp7641
      @buzzlightyearpfp7641 7 років тому +15

      I have a easy answer. tell the tallest person to signal the second tallers persons hat color by, if the second tallest persons color was white, the tallest person would say white. and it goes all the way to shortest.

    • @hatkinson9026
      @hatkinson9026 7 років тому +23

      Alex Qwertyuiop but you can only have 1 wrong guess so your strategy wouldn't work

  • @OtherworldlyApollo
    @OtherworldlyApollo 5 років тому +9000

    Then someone is sick and coughs and the aliens assume it's signaling and everyone dies.
    Edit: I've gotten 15 replies about Corona already, y'all ain't original.

  • @tonyrobinson9046
    @tonyrobinson9046 Рік тому +2

    I saw the solution immediately because I am aware of what computer scientists called a parity bit. It was a way of reducing errors caused by computer hardware. Say you have 8 bits (1s or 0s) to read. The hardware (such as a tape machine) would read the bits and then software would see if the total was even or odd. It would then compare that to a parity bit which had been set based on the correct answer. If the parity bit and the software calculated odd or even were not the same, then it would know there was a reading error.

  • @yeseulchoi9279
    @yeseulchoi9279 2 роки тому +1

    I really find this interesting!

  • @zapptor8807
    @zapptor8807 5 років тому +3001

    3:07 She hasn't been killed for looking behind

    • @Jaojao_puzzlesolver
      @Jaojao_puzzlesolver 5 років тому +42

      Well, it was a supposed situation in discuss lol

    • @nikhilvasanth6236
      @nikhilvasanth6236 5 років тому +40

      She did no look.She listened

    • @mammothmoth8967
      @mammothmoth8967 5 років тому +72

      @@nikhilvasanth6236 she moved her eyes

    • @guilhermesantana8957
      @guilhermesantana8957 5 років тому +35

      I think she just saw a fly, so the aliens didn't care

    • @cobcorn8749
      @cobcorn8749 5 років тому +12

      @@mammothmoth8967 Yeah her cartoon head allowed her cartoon eyes to move to the side of her cartoon head to look behind her without having to move her cartoon head

  • @ProtocolA
    @ProtocolA 2 роки тому +488

    “You at the front of the line”
    Yo forget the puzzle is he calling me short!???!!

    • @mathguy37
      @mathguy37 2 роки тому +13

      He's calling one of the yous in a puzzle universe in this multiverse or a different one short

    • @fictionfan0
      @fictionfan0 2 роки тому +4

      Are you, though?

  • @Harvey_Mod
    @Harvey_Mod 2 роки тому

    This is too good

  • @RavinStrange
    @RavinStrange Місяць тому +3

    There are for sure several ways to get this correct

  • @anepicflyingbrick_4872
    @anepicflyingbrick_4872 7 років тому +718

    I wanna see the cows try and complete this test

  • @lei916
    @lei916 6 років тому +678

    If only humans were this good at understanding plans

  • @hlysnan6418
    @hlysnan6418 Рік тому +1

    It took me a little more than five minutes, but I got there...love this stuff.

    • @MCart1215
      @MCart1215 4 місяці тому

      I'm doing one of these every day. I'm on day 2, did the 3 gods one, which was awful, but I found a 'solution' (barely) which meant 66% chance of survival. I got this one right and the feeling is borderline euphoric, I feel unstoppable

  • @jRob15
    @jRob15 2 роки тому +2314

    There’s absolutely no way a group of random people would accomplish this even if you explained the strategy

    • @mrinalkrgupta8177
      @mrinalkrgupta8177 Рік тому +41

      when the question is of life and death, random people be "a friend from another land"

    • @girlcatlove5869
      @girlcatlove5869 Рік тому +8

      It a riddle😂

    • @jasperdeboer3257
      @jasperdeboer3257 Рік тому +19

      Yeah the second guy fucks up and everyone dies

    • @UnknownString88
      @UnknownString88 11 місяців тому +3

      Depends where these people were taken from

    • @adamlimalia
      @adamlimalia 11 місяців тому

      Muslims could

  • @miauwey
    @miauwey 7 років тому +785

    this would work in theory, but of course there would be one or two people who aren't quite as bright as the rest of the group who would get confused and answer incorrectly

    • @matteobravo2149
      @matteobravo2149 7 років тому +3

      squidkid true

    • @Fall_Bondler
      @Fall_Bondler 7 років тому

      Do you know Splatoon?

    • @IVUSER
      @IVUSER 7 років тому +1

      Lol such a relevant question

    •  7 років тому +3

      This is not necessarily true. Not all people need to reach the answer, just one and this one explains to the others. The thing is how 10 people would organize themselves to get to the answer in 5 minutes. I think 5 minutes is not that long when your life is in risk. These alians are mean. Haha.

    • @mayrahernandez9372
      @mayrahernandez9372 7 років тому

      João Paulo Souza Soares pi

  • @JLvatron
    @JLvatron 9 місяців тому

    That was brilliant. I got it wrong.
    Good puzzle!

  • @shakibalhasan8804
    @shakibalhasan8804 3 місяці тому

    Oh my god, awesome, yet so complicated.

  • @BamassacreGaming
    @BamassacreGaming 2 роки тому +3887

    Prisoner 10 sees no hats, so he answers blue. Everyone died. Don’t be prisoner 10.

  • @findafishgaming3650
    @findafishgaming3650 5 років тому +1829

    Step 1: confirm you have green eyes.
    Step 2: ask the aliens to leave

  • @Bi-polarBear
    @Bi-polarBear 9 місяців тому

    I’m grabbing that prison ray away from the first alien that tries to put a hat on my head

  • @milosmarkovic3096
    @milosmarkovic3096 2 роки тому

    100% going to warp this concept for my dnd game

  • @MilesEdgeworth129
    @MilesEdgeworth129 7 років тому +3251

    Five minutes? Okay, here's the plan; there's ten of us, and three of them. We'll each go into three groups, and then when they get back, we attack them, steal their forcefield gun, and force them to let us go!

    • @marcus23424
      @marcus23424 7 років тому +71

      lmao

    • @yeastyyeasty2168
      @yeastyyeasty2168 6 років тому +47

      U dont force them u forcefield them HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    • @jessel4397
      @jessel4397 6 років тому +27

      You think that you could safely land that spacecraft? Ha!

    • @abdal.m4029
      @abdal.m4029 6 років тому +106

      The good old human way

    • @jukimoto247
      @jukimoto247 6 років тому +17

      what if they got guns and a phone to distract them from a selfie

  • @Idolbottle
    @Idolbottle 2 роки тому +1777

    Why am I subconsciously thinking this is at any point in my life gonna be a useful strategy? Like im gonna be in a saw movie at some point or something

    • @thdude1873
      @thdude1873 2 роки тому +20

      Exactly

    • @bluemonk9480
      @bluemonk9480 2 роки тому +86

      This specific scenario might not be useful, but I believe this sort of thinking is quite useful in discrete mathematics and programming problems. Minimising the amount of information it takes to solve a problem is super useful for optimising machine run times. You'd be surprised

    • @multiverseman4017
      @multiverseman4017 2 роки тому +19

      Saw 10: Aliens
      (Crossover)

    • @hshsnshhs7382
      @hshsnshhs7382 2 роки тому +5

      Well atleast now your covered.

    • @xakirax_8864
      @xakirax_8864 2 роки тому +5

      Lmao this is the way I think too

  • @fadge4105
    @fadge4105 3 місяці тому +1

    At 1:59 you introduced the criteria, after the pause. We had -information?

  • @jonnibickel3785
    @jonnibickel3785 Рік тому

    great video

  • @tracyxu2544
    @tracyxu2544 6 років тому +800

    I'm the short one who forgets the plan and kills everyone.

    • @lei916
      @lei916 6 років тому +2

      Tracy Xu same

    • @nguyen7833
      @nguyen7833 5 років тому +6

      But the tallest one was correct and everyone is save !

    • @carealoo744
      @carealoo744 5 років тому +6

      Well, there's still the chance, the guy at the back will, by pure chance, guess his own color correctly, thus allowing you to have 1 wrong answer.

    • @thebluegaming7706
      @thebluegaming7706 5 років тому

      Hehehehe

    • @sonicmastersword8080
      @sonicmastersword8080 5 років тому

      carealoo744 Unless you are the last one and the first one gets it right, you will convey the wrong information and thus cause everyone to guess wrong.

  • @MalcolmCooks
    @MalcolmCooks 3 роки тому +3253

    "our society forbids eating logical and co-operative creatures, but if you try to communicate with each other the colour of your hats, thus proving you are logical and co-operative, we will eat you"
    makes sense

    • @majesthijmenii1976
      @majesthijmenii1976 3 роки тому +17

      Won't* eat you

    • @dagnytheartist
      @dagnytheartist 2 роки тому +246

      @@majesthijmenii1976 No, they will eat you, because they said that the rules were you're not allowed to use any phonetics code or make noises to indicate what color other people's hats are.

    • @PtylerBeats
      @PtylerBeats 2 роки тому +91

      @@dagnytheartist that’s what I was thinking from the very beginning. I thought the entire point was that we couldn’t relay information. So if they watched the planning happen, they would know what the first guess means, and the humans would lose the puzzle.

    • @camille8010
      @camille8010 2 роки тому +43

      don't argue alien logic, they'll eat you XD

    • @bradturuma7886
      @bradturuma7886 2 роки тому +13

      @MalcolmCooks they had 5 minutes to discuss of a plan before starting the riddle lol

  • @meepruns4636
    @meepruns4636 Рік тому +1

    "Now it all comes down to you at the front of the line."
    Are you saying I'm that short?????

  • @Woof347
    @Woof347 5 місяців тому +2

    It took me years of rewatching the video to understand why this worked

  • @jerreyn8705
    @jerreyn8705 7 років тому +695

    I'd be the one idiot to screw it up

  • @woodfur00
    @woodfur00 8 років тому +558

    Highly logical and cooperative, huh? Can anyone see this actually working out?

    • @MegaFPVFlyer
      @MegaFPVFlyer 8 років тому +6

      +RequiemInnocence (レクイエムイノセンス)
      Was that irony intentional?

    • @starblaze5813
      @starblaze5813 8 років тому +1

      +RequiemInnocence (レクイエムイノセンス) Well when people kind of want to stay alive and not get eaten....

    • @EternityGray
      @EternityGray 8 років тому

      +Nieve Andrea darn, you're making my game far too easy

    • @starblaze5813
      @starblaze5813 8 років тому +9

      Nieve Andrea Aliens can be advanced and still want to eat dead flesh....? We're mildly advanced and we still eat dead flesh.

    • @EternityGray
      @EternityGray 8 років тому +6

      Star Blaze
      I wonder if she'd prefer living flesh.

  • @antoniobent379
    @antoniobent379 3 місяці тому

    This is still the only Ted-Ed riddle I completely understand

  • @j-ymoney5112
    @j-ymoney5112 Рік тому +1

    “Quick, What do we do?!”
    “No idea…”

  • @AliceCherry555
    @AliceCherry555 7 років тому +423

    Uhhhh. The horses name was Friday!

  • @plumpt
    @plumpt 5 років тому +3442

    if the aliens dont know english then why is the translator app written in english?

    • @sri7569
      @sri7569 5 років тому +122

      Because we don't speak alien language

    • @pocketjoy2319
      @pocketjoy2319 5 років тому +50

      It’s just used for example, this is just a video it doesn’t have to be logical

    • @auraskadante6273
      @auraskadante6273 5 років тому +37

      @@pocketjoy2319 ikr people are just arguing to the smallest things that dosent even matter. I personally think they just want to hate them lol

    • @pocketjoy2319
      @pocketjoy2319 5 років тому +1

      dante whooo Ya

    • @kingcobra7183
      @kingcobra7183 4 роки тому +1

      It works like the translator on hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

  • @publiclyfunnny
    @publiclyfunnny Рік тому

    This is my first ted ed video watched and I'm hook

  • @raduandreiq
    @raduandreiq 3 місяці тому +1

    Very interesting! 🤩

  • @UberMegustador
    @UberMegustador 8 років тому +816

    Before finding the answer: " Omg! this is impossible! "
    After finding the answer: "Omg! It was so easy! i am so stupeed!"

    • @ProdbyHuskije
      @ProdbyHuskije 8 років тому +25

      You're gonna be eaten

    • @NecrisPC
      @NecrisPC 8 років тому +2

      +Uber Megustador Si aici te vad :)) ? Still doesn't sound easy to me. :D

    • @juanfelipemartinez4268
      @juanfelipemartinez4268 8 років тому

      Is not correct just saying the color of the hat of the person in front you and the memorize all?

    • @NecrisPC
      @NecrisPC 8 років тому +5

      Juan Felipe Martínez No because you have to say the color of your own hat corectly and that may differ from the one in front of you.

    • @MarkLucasProductions
      @MarkLucasProductions 8 років тому

      +Juan Felipe Martínez What? !!

  • @444fame_
    @444fame_ 4 роки тому +2454

    How to solve the riddle:
    *_step 1_* : confirm you have green eyes
    *_step 2_* : ask the alien to leave

    • @meggamiauw4266
      @meggamiauw4266 4 роки тому +58

      Ooh, from the other riddle!

    • @aarushkalra2892
      @aarushkalra2892 4 роки тому +23

      C'mon unoriginal

    • @444fame_
      @444fame_ 4 роки тому +50

      Aarush Kalra c’mon I thought they were still funny! Idek lol

    • @gwendolynrice4271
      @gwendolynrice4271 4 роки тому +30

      If you didnt see the video yet, heres the link:ua-cam.com/video/oHg5SJYRHA0/v-deo.html

    • @akisa7865
      @akisa7865 4 роки тому +34

      Step 3: get thrown into the volcano
      Step 4:????
      Step 5: PROFIT!

  • @carissawong2451
    @carissawong2451 Рік тому

    Wow, the solution is so clever. Would not have thought of that, haha.

  • @sagarharsora608
    @sagarharsora608 7 місяців тому +1

    i had watched this video back when i was in 8th grade(2018) now pursuing computer engineering yesterday i took a class of logic design and computer architecture and saw error detection and parity come up(ps:i vaguely remember 'parity' come up in this video) immediately back to this video and now i understand what a 8th grade me could hardly grasp yayayay look at how it all connects

    • @sagarharsora608
      @sagarharsora608 7 місяців тому

      ua-cam.com/video/t4kiy4Dsx5Y/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ALLABOUTELECTRONICS this was the module for parity

  • @TheDrB0B
    @TheDrB0B 7 років тому +847

    Choose 10 people at random in America and I swear there's gonna be at least one that says green or some shit...

    • @owenmeschter9888
      @owenmeschter9888 7 років тому +6

      Laughed so hard XD

    • @sharkgamer1352
      @sharkgamer1352 7 років тому +12

      what if its a foreinger? they wouldnt know english

    • @iSummerBur
      @iSummerBur 7 років тому +15

      ones gonna say rainbow tbh
      "guys #alllivesmatter #lgbt rainbow"

    • @owenmeschter9888
      @owenmeschter9888 7 років тому +5

      sharkgamer135 Your right! Hopefully their all British....

    • @gabrielaviles3691
      @gabrielaviles3691 7 років тому +2

      +Owen Meschter *you're *they're

  • @deadcat6085
    @deadcat6085 7 років тому +288

    one clumsy person like me...and you all are on alien buffet

  • @aeri3843
    @aeri3843 Рік тому

    my god so proud of myself. immediately got the answers... i've been doing ted ed quizzes for way too long lol

  • @BeatBox_guy
    @BeatBox_guy Рік тому +1

    This was the riddle that led me to discover Ted-ed

  • @khwezimagwaza5507
    @khwezimagwaza5507 4 роки тому +451

    Anybody come back here every year or so just to remind themselves of the solution... Just in case?

  • @aanounymouss
    @aanounymouss 3 роки тому +436

    This is relying on the fact that you aren't captured with a bunch of fools.
    Like me.

  • @sophiesmidnightsquad
    @sophiesmidnightsquad 11 місяців тому +2

    I’m actually pretty happy I got the answer!

  • @quesin5162
    @quesin5162 Рік тому +13

    3:28
    Me-I Just realized he called us short 💀
    (And I love this animation style lol)

  • @elixeiichan6408
    @elixeiichan6408 3 роки тому +209

    Plot twist: They're all from different countries.

    • @mika7446
      @mika7446 3 роки тому +20

      plot twist twist: *they use the universal translator app* heheh

    • @elixeiichan6408
      @elixeiichan6408 3 роки тому +7

      @@mika7446 :0 we humans need that technology- they shoulda stolen one 😩

    • @mika7446
      @mika7446 3 роки тому +1

      @@elixeiichan6408 ikr 😩

    • @killerplunger2780
      @killerplunger2780 2 роки тому

      Ha lol

    • @janehoe.
      @janehoe. 2 роки тому

      @@elixeiichan6408 say hi app works well on earth lol