Can you solve the troll’s paradox riddle? - Dan Finkel

Practice more problem-solving at brilliant.org/TedEd/
Solution to bonus riddle: brilliant.org/TedEdTrollParadox/
You and your brother have discovered another realm and set off exploring the new wonderful world. Along the way, you see a troll catching creatures in an enormous net. The troll agrees to release the creatures if you can come up with a statement that is both truth and false. Can you come up with the correct sentence and force the troll to release them? Dan Finkel shows how.
Lesson by Dan Finkel, directed by Artrake Studio.
Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Chris, Megan Douglas, Barbara Smalley, Filip Dabrowski, Clair Chen, Vik Nagjee, Karen Goepen-Wee, Della Palacios, Bah Becerra, Marc Bilodeau, Ruby Solorzano, Ivan Tsenov, Claudia Mayfield, Yankai Liu, Duo Xu, Joy Love Om, Gi Nam Lee, Shawn Quichocho, Anika Westburg, Barun Padhy, Devin Harris, Tony Trapuzzano, Jason Weinstein, Kris Siverhus, Alexander Walls, Annamaria Szilagyi, Morgan Williams, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Mandeep Singh, سلطان الخليفي, Marylise CHAUFFETON, Marvin Vizuett, Jayant Sahewal, Quinn Shen, Elizabeth Cruz, Elnathan Joshua Bangayan, Mullaiarasu Sundaramurthy, Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Dan Paterniti, Jerome Froelich, Tyler Yoshizumi, Martin Stephen, Justin Carpani, Khalifa Alhulail, Tejas Dc, Benjamin & Shannon Pinder, Srikote Naewchampa, Ex Foedus, Exal Enrique Cisneros Tuch and Ana Maria.

[@TEDEd]

Get the solution to the bonus riddle here: brilliant.org/TedEdTrollParadox/! Also, the first 833 of you who sign up for a PREMIUM subscription will get 20% off the annual fee. Riddle on, riddlers!

[@ssh-gg9qt]

Aw man I was so close to the answer I was thinking like “you will free the creatures”

[@Ac-ct2vt]

"Wanna Sprite cranberry?"

[@raviteja18]

truth box contains gold . is the answer

[@raviteja18]

he will eat and imprison the animals.@Faisal Lewis

[@nlinchmc9509]

aidan bowman same

[@Pralius_]

You can say that the poison gas is in the false chest. If the gas is indeed in the false chest, the statement is true and the true chest containing the gold will open. If it is false, then the gas is in the true chest and will not be released but the false chest containing the gold will open.

[@liamphill2873]

Right, I had it just the other way around: "The treasure is in the statement right chest."

[@Jith65]

similar to the answer the gold is in the first chest

[@jeffcarroll1990shock]

"I want the chest with the gas."

[@dijkkla9948]

But that would be dependant of what YOU want.

[@Jith65]

@@jeffcarroll1990shock if gas was in the truth chest ??

[@zhang811]

When you realize a troll keeps its promises better than you...

[@randomperson4662]

lmao meeeeee

[@mepnet]

ಥ_ಥ

[@joksizantos7520]

👁👄👁

[@marcusmendesmontano7167]

):

[@alishayin4279]

hahaha tru

[@get_dqstrqyed1786]

For the bonus riddle: you can say “the chest that opens if I tell lies has the poisonous gas in it.” If the statement is correct, then the truth box will open, giving you the treasure. If the statement is incorrect, the false box will open, giving you the treasure.

[@mathprodigygamer4637]

You could also say, “the box that opens when I say a true statement has the treasure.” If it’s true, then it will open, if it’s false, then the other one will open with the treasure. It’s pretty interesting how you could say lots of different things for something that seems hard.

[@jdj8168]

Yeah that's what I thought, I found the bonus riddle much easier than the other one. "the true treasure contains the gold" is simple imo

[@TheRealBananGaming]

I just can not wrap my head around this.

[@RafaelMunizYT]

@Joanne it's a superfluid gas

[@agenti4734]

@@TheRealBananGaming basically, if the false box really has poison, then the statement is true and the truth box will have the treasure since the false box has the poison. Then vice versa, if the truth box had the poison, the statement is false and the false box will have the treasure

[@leo-hao]

Ted Ed: Say something that is both true and false. Me: Ozo.

[@bolarindabiri5669]

Sadly only TEDEd legends might get this.

[@dogling4069]

@@bolarindabiri5669 im the legend

[@archiea.k.a9256]

@@bolarindabiri5669 it's the three gods

[@bolarindabiri5669]

@@archiea.k.a9256 Yes it is!

[@elisanateri4390]

Ulu

[@severalpigeons6946]

Troll: you can only say one sentence Conjunctions: I'm about to end this man's whole career

[@enby_dreamsss]

i'm falling over laughing

[@arnavbule]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@jiazeng6485]

👁👄👁

[@zawsrdtygbhjimokpl6998]

thought so as well. The author should've clarified that it must be 1 statement instead of 1 sentence

[@darrellwillis4871]

Recursive sentences: I am about to end this man's whole career.

[@Laufbursche4u]

Troll: "OK, I release the brother and the paradoxes. But I haven't said anything about you." (Sounds of grabbing and eating.)

[@samprodownxd792]

LOL

[@hairje1340]

XD

[@Xman34washere]

Frick

[@SquareFoil31362]

Oof

[@twenzu915]

Hol’ up-

[@meepdoesedits5631]

Can we take a moment to appreciate how the brother is reacting to being held captive by the troll and having his life on the line

[@groundedgaming]

I hadn't realised that at all and wow that is great attention to detail

[@Pomodorosan]

2:01 love the brother's little head nod and 2:47 love the victory wiggle

[@christinelemus7530]

@@Pomodorosanand he shakes his head when the troll mentions freeing the paradoxes instead of him

[@raducora7159]

This should also work with a statement that changes it's truth value after a specific event. Something like "you are holding the paradoxes captive". At first, this is true, so the troll must release the paradoxes. But then the same statement becomes false, so the troll must also release your brother.

[@ZekeRaiden]

Only if he intends to eat the brother _after_ releasing the prisoners. Bit of a problem if he eats your brother _before_ releasing the prisoners.

[@radiantharmony2474]

The problem with such statements is that the troll could simply evaluate their truth or falseness once and only release one set of prisoners. Given your example, the troll would say "that's true", and release the paradoxical creatures because you said a true statement, concluding the obligation to its own rules.

[@Pomodorosan]

its* truth value

[@DavesDime]

"If you say *something true*, I'll release all of these creatures. If you say *something false*, than I'll release your brother." "Something true, something false."

[@Krcun774]

BIG BRAIN PRO GAMER MOVE!

[@NatAttack99]

i laughed so hard i missed the like button the first time

[@veniceomamalin9916]

BIG BRAIN TIME

[@ShiaTheBunnyGirl]

The troll: No no he's got a point

[@virajpatel_]

who are you? why are you so smart in ways of paradoxes

[@bonniejunk]

I want the morton salt girl to step on me

[@carltonleboss]

I really, really, really like your profile picture

[@JTheMelon]

@Marsel Monro i like it too

[@iradlaon8469]

@@carltonleboss i like it too

[@thalespro9995]

JTheMelon I like it too

[@cabbage4772]

@@thalespro9995 I like it too

[@clarahoward8729]

step one: confirm with the troll that you both have green eyes step two: feed your brother to the unstoppable blob step three: feed the troll to the blob and summon mjolnir

[@arthurdabest8569]

Da ultimate reference

[@The_Epicness9000]

Step 4: Ozo

[@qwertyuiop.lkjhgfdsa]

No The actual first step is to ask "if I asked you if I had green eyes, would you answer Ozo?"

[@arthurdabest8569]

But you can only say one sentence

[@theodriggers549]

@@qwertyuiop.lkjhgfdsa but you cannot ask questions

[@brianmcclenahan617]

In a twist of a paradox, the troll isn't releasing your brother until after the statement is false. It only becomes true when the statement was false but not at the same time.

[@novaelite_]

I realized an answer that might be right: say "The treasure is in the chest that opens from a truth"

[@blen4321]

You smart

[@jessicamerrill263]

Please explain

[@personalchannel1824]

@@jessicamerrill263 If the treasure is achieved by saying something that is true, than you will be right. That means that you will receive the option from the truth statement, i.e. the treasure. However if your statement is false, i.e. you can NOT achieve the treasure by saying something true, you will tell a lie. This means that the statement is false therefore giving you the outcome of the false statement which would be the treasure!

[@personalchannel1824]

You can btw also revert it by saying: "The deadly gas will be released from the 'false' chest."

[@taiyoqun]

@@name-wl5eh but what if the treasure is in the chest that opens from a lie? You do not know where the treasure is, so you could be getting the deadly gas by saying that

[@bongoe6997]

TedEd: The troll hates paradoxes. So you cant say a paradox. Me: well im stumped. TedEd: the answer is a paradox Me: Ah gets me every time.

[@ryalexstudios]

lol

[@fulcrum2951]

lol

[@gayflower900]

THANK YOU

[@josephkane5499]

The answer isn't a paradox tho

[@alpguy4865]

nope, the answer is not a paradox

[@hideousred]

Me, panicking: Free My Brother! Troll: Ah dammit, seems I have been outsmarted

[@tposecat2276]

“As the troll stomps off in anger” The troll: *crying like a baby but walking away taking high steps*

[@Vectorlarity]

“You have a loving girlfriend” “That is false, I will release your brother” *walks away crying*

[@jianyu5306]

plot twist: he has a loving boyfriend

[@fal4thought]

@@jianyu5306 oooh~

[@cjfdnqkn4374]

Min Suga lol

[@gumbitoicic9977]

@@jianyu5306 I like this plot twist more

[@Dellaluna13]

Other plot twist: the troll makes your brother his girlfriend.

[@natalua1277]

Say “the gold is in the true chest” If the statement is true (meaning that the gold IS in the true chest), the true chest will open and give you your gold. If the statement is false (meaning that the gold is in the false chest), the false chest will open and give you your gold.

[@armaansoni6906]

saying the gas is in the false chest would do the same

[@calendars4]

Armaan Soni except it’s gas and you don’t want to open it

[@tychatel478]

Calindra Does Stuff if you say it’s in the false chest, and it is, then you said something true and u get the gold. If it’s not in there, then you said something false and you get the gold because the gas isn’t in it

[@calendars4]

Cast1eCrasher28 I just realised oops sorry

[@christine2689]

I would say, “the treasure is in one of the chests”

[@ianqiao7052]

Me: "You will free my brother!" Troll: "Ozo"

[@avs2229]

0:22 When you must take back your sentence "When pigs fly"

[@mabelmegancardenas361]

YESSS

[@shuckle3775]

You: You will free my brother! Troll: That’s false! I lied to you about what I will do! *eats both*

[@GaryLuKOTH]

That’s what I get for trusting a troll to keep his promise.

[@captainalligator9202]

But if it’s false, then he has to free his brother. Which would be truth that he is freeing his brother, and since it’s also true he has to free the creatures too.

[@GaryLuKOTH]

Tommy Ferrer He said “I lied”.

[@shashwathanda3830]

Hi Pokemon fan

[@shuckle3775]

@@shashwathanda3830 what do you mean pokemon fan? I AM a pokemon!

[@EnderKL]

The answer was my first thought but you said no paradoxes so I thought that would be wrong

[@thenotsomadhatter4291]

That's what I thought, isn't he just breaking his own rules in using this answer?

[@The1stPurpleCat]

It would have to be wrong by definition because the way the video says it works out is that the statement is false, therefore it's true OR it is true therefore it's false. That would lead you (by the rules) to either have the animals and brother eaten, or he just doesn't release either thing.

[@djtrig6576]

It’s only a paradox if he doesn’t release both sides! That’s why it’s coercive logic and how they get away with saying the troll hates paradoxes (as in, he would never refuse to free your brother, as that would make what you said a paradox and he hates them)

[@MasterLoby]

The phrase “you will free my brother” is not a paradoxical statement. Saying “this statement is false” is a paradox, no matter what context your using it in, and is therefore not allowed. The paradox your referring to comes from the rules the troll set up in the first place. “You will free my brother” is conditional paradox that only exists in this type of scenario with the established rules of the choice, and is therefore a non-paradoxical statement that would free both parties.

[@Playzon]

I prefer "you freed my brother." Because of the past tense, the statement is clearly true or false (not both or neither) depending on when you check.

[@Aline-pw1kh]

Me (an intellectual): “you’re green”

[@thechaoticphoenixx8963]

2:55 "As the troll stomps off in anger..." The Troll: [Intense sobbing]

[@Ari_Tree]

"This statement is false." Troll: *eats paradoxes and brother* "Eh, I hated them anyway."

[@ArticBlueFox96]

If the statement were false and he ate the brother, then he would have to free the brother, which makes the statement true. If the statement were true, then he would have to free the brother (because the statement "You will free my brother" is true) and he would have to free the paradoxes because he promised to free the paradoxes if the statement is true.

[@danielmaher1654]

@@ArticBlueFox96 did you even read his comment?

[@dccaleb5529]

Me: this is easy af “You can’t say ‘this statement is false’” Me: oh

[@itram99]

Me:**suprised pikachu face**

[@SquareFoil31362]

Lol

[@kylerivera3470]

Technically he can, he just really doesn't want to. And even if it was true, that's all it would be, true. It wouldn't solve the riddle.

[@cdrury16]

@@kylerivera3470 and yet it does, they just said it differently.

[@jdmmxbth]

"The 'false' chest contains deadly gas" works for the bonus riddle. If the statement is true, the deadly gas is in the 'false' chest which will remain closed while the 'true' chest containing treasure will open. If the statement is false, then the 'false' chest contains treasure and will open, while the 'true' chest contains deadly gas and remains closed.

[@MineZack2]

I love how the animation style always changes but the voice acting never does

[@claytonhoyt6173]

You could also say "You will NOT free the creatures." to the troll. If the statement is true, the troll would have to release the creatures, which he can't do without making the statement paradoxically true and false. The troll's only option is for the statement to be false, forcing it to release the creatures and your brother.

[@winnersduplicate554]

*troll applies “creatures” to everything*

[@syedtauheednabi2357]

@@anythingatall1471 do you understand the word NOT? His statement becomes false and that's why he release the brother and he released the creature bcz statement said he will not which is actually false

[@yootooberkev15]

@@syedtauheednabi2357 Lolol the guy deleted his comment

[@MythOverseer]

if the statement is false, the troll will release the brother. if the statement is true, the troll will release the creatures.

[@cassy906]

THIS IS A PARADOX. HE WILL EAT EVERYTHING.

[@animekrrish]

She: "u'll release my brother" Troll: *understandable have a nice day*

[@WilliametcCook]

"You have the animals" The troll has the animals, so he lets them go. The troll no longer has the animals, so he lets your brother go. Not paradoxical!

[@lawrencecobb2107]

“You have the animals” Then the troll eats your brother. Then the troll lets the animals go

[@cinnamonkittamon]

1. "You have the animals" 2. Condition met: has animals 3. Releases animals It doesn't continue after, as "You have the animals" does not require him to continue having animals afterwards

[@lawrencecobb2107]

@@cinnamonkittamon I can’t tell if you would agree with my comment after theirs

[@cinnamonkittamon]

@@lawrencecobb2107 the statement "you have the animals" is not inherently a paradox, only creating a potential paradox due to the situation, much like how "You will release my brother" can only become a paradox in that situation. Thus, there is no reason to eat the brother

[@eureka9217]

That.. is not how logic work

[@yummypizza507]

You could say “The box that opens from a lie, has the gas.”.

[@reyandjay8538]

The solution: You can say "The truth statement chest has the gold on it" If that is true the truth statement chest will open with the gold on it, but if thats false, that means the false statement chest has the gold on it, and then it will open with the gold on it because you said something false

[@theoutsider7807]

@@vitorbowen2347 Only if you have green eyes.

[@megalampada2372]

@@theoutsider7807 And if you press the correct two buttons

[@theodriggers549]

YOU have green eyes

[@lukefranklin5]

I think that the troll would probably just eat him anyway

[@royanque8374]

Coz hes, a troll

[@themistery8905]

He TrOLlED YoU

[@mrmeow1012]

I am a troll and you have been t rollled

[@rowanbrown5541]

Yeah I feel like that definitely counts as a paradoxical statement

[@wagneruepa]

@@rowanbrown5541 thank you

[@bolarindabiri5669]

The second TEDEd puzzle I solved correctly myself! And this time almost immediately! I'm over the moon right now! Watching this channel a lot really does help your thinking ability.

[@Ten_Thousand_Locusts]

Good for you!

[@danympth4927]

"You will not give me the treasure" this sentence is for the bonus riddle.

[@ermahgerd1678]

Quite refreshing to see a riddle that doesn't involve math every once in a while.

[@wariolandgoldpiramid]

It's logic, and logic is math. You've been mathed without even realising it.

[@t_kon]

Nope this is math. Sorry to dissapoint you.

[@edmg7]

@@wariolandgoldpiramid fine. It's nice to see a riddle without arithmetic.

[@onepunchman1953]

@@edmg7 :)

[@legallybidoof]

Logic is a form of math so get TROLLed

[@chengxiuwang9360]

My answer: A long time ago, actually never, and also now, nothing was nowhere.

[@tkmking8781]

Space dust

[@smoceany9478]

screw this, i wanna be something, i wanna do something

[@ThatRaccoonBoi]

The sun is a deadly laser

[@Vectorlarity]

Casuto Kirigya NOT ANYMORE, THERES A BLANKET nope can’t walk yet

[@mecha3906]

@@tkmking8781 even more crazier space dust

[@mr.bluestone1276]

For once I actually got it right and had a guess at " you will let my go brother" It feels good.

[@cookiecakeeater6340]

This is kinda unfair cause we aren’t told he’d never make a paradox

[@Mrmigo8703]

The troll said " if you say something true I will release all these creatures" and then said "If you say something false then I will release your brother" Technically you could twist his words and say something like "I am going to tell you something true and something false", and you have now said "something true" and "something false" in one statement, without being paradoxical.

[@pitpat1682]

I am sorry, but I think it won't work. Because the sentence has no truth value yet (!), like the solution mentioned in the video. The difference is, that in your cause, you have to make the statement right or wrong, not the troll. The troll would have the choice to say: 'That was no statement with a truth value. I will take it as a paradox. ' (Which I would deny, but who am I to argue with a troll?) or he could say: 'No sentence with a truth value yet, I am still waiting for your statement.'

[@gallonofcats1097]

@@pitpat1682 the thing that guy suggested is that troll literally asks you to say "something true" and "something false". Just that words, not false or true statements. And if you say statment that contains both pairs of words you just followed the rules and said "something true" and "something false" in the same statement.

[@kazuichisouda2026]

So, you're trolling the troll?

[@pitpat1682]

@@gallonofcats1097 Got it now, thx!

[@epicfaceness2568]

Or you could just say something true cus your brother is an animal

[@raviteja18]

'truth box contains gold'. is the answer because if the statement is correct then truth box will open which has gold. if not it means gold is in false box. so this implies that I said false and false box will open and I get gold.

[@martin_mc3105]

false has gas too

[@pkj4173]

dude thats really smart

[@VegetaPixel]

@@martin_mc3105 No. Read it again.

[@anatolydyatlov6182]

U zo zmartingg

[@noahmorfitt4876]

No you have to say that it's not in the false box

[@NateNiehaus]

Finally got one of these Ted-Ed riddles right. I need more non-math riddles.

[@ireneboyle4261]

This is the first TedEd riddle I have ever solved!

[@signaturespecialist]

How do you guys think of such amazing riddles? :)

[@danielleanderson6371]

Many of them are just classic riddles being presented in a new way.

[@shlomosilversteinberg5785]

Brilliant.

[@jamesbevan9939]

They're traditional logic puzzles given new trappings.

[@GrowthMindsetChannel]

These riddles make you have to go deep haha

[@jekkaarciaga4352]

brilliant.org

[@wadduck67]

You: “The Earth Is Flat!” The Troll: **releases paradoxes** You: ;-;

[@jiazeng6485]

THE TROLL IS A FLAT EARTHER DESTROY IT

[@SquareFoil31362]

What

[@cyberspino6277]

@@SquareFoil31362 the troll realeased them becuse the statment was true and the cry face Is becuse he thought it was false and he Can get his brother back

[@chieckenman4432]

"i'm not even from earth so idk" -troll

[@mabelmegancardenas361]

@@chieckenman4432 yup

[@a_b897]

Finally found one of these Ted Ed riddles that isnt a secret math/geometry question and I worked out the answer, happy with that outcome 🙌

[@syingxi]

2:48 Dayum we vibin’

[@joaquinm9148]

That one creature is still ridin’

[@syingxi]

@@joaquinm9148 🤣

[@Queekitch]

Can't you just say something like "You learn about nothing in Philosophy"? The statement is true in one sense ("the concept of 'nothing'' is one that is taught in philisophy") And false in another ("You gain no new knowledge by studying philosophy") And it's not a paradox since the two statements rely on seperate readings and therefore don't necessarily conflict with each other. Problem solved.

[@arjunholmie]

interesting point, so of course the riddle is rather vague about this, but your whole trick is to use vagueness to your advantage; I think that doesnt make sense as it doesnt have true propositional meaning. Its as good as saying "chocolates are good", like OK they taste awesome but theyre not usually good for health. At the same time, I'd probably humor this to some extent as a solution, as its not specified that you cant have subjective truths, but yeah Id call it a bit of a cheap shot

[@jeconiahjoelmichaelsiregar7917]

Keep in mind this is a logic puzzle and not an English puzzle. You can't say something whose truth or falseness is self-contradictory, let alone something whose truth or falseness is up for interpretation. In logic, there can only be perfectly true and/or perfectly false statements. While your statement is indeed not a paradox, its truth or falseness isn't clear cut. And the riddle clearly shows us that leaving something up to the Troll's interpretation can backfire. The Troll could simply respond with either "That's true, the subject of nothing is indeed a topic in philosophy" and just free the paradoxes or "That's false, you do learn something new in philosophy" and just release your brother. The key insight here is that you need to say something that isn't just blindly true or false (since you will only end up freeing one party either way), but something that can also dictate the Troll's actions afterwards. That's why the "coercive logic" presented in the riddle is different, in that its truth or falseness, when constrained to the Troll's actions, is surprisingly clear cut. The phrase "You will free my brother" restricts its truthfulness to the Troll's actions, and can only be true since the opposite, by the Troll's own rules, results in a paradox as presented in the video. In a similar fashion, "You won't free the paradoxes" can only be a false statement since if it were true, it also results in a paradox (if the statement is true, the Troll has to release the paradoxes where the statement outlined the opposite), and the Troll will end up releasing both parties. Again, remember, this is a logic puzzle, not a language puzzle. And in logic, there's hardly any in-betweens.

[@theffects9545]

u smort

[@arthurdabest8569]

Potential plateau But it's another dimension...

[@The_Epicness9000]

@@jeconiahjoelmichaelsiregar7917 To add on to what you said, he implied that part of the statement is true and another part is false. Therefore, both chests would open.

[@akshaymali9032]

"Is Schrodingers cat alive? "

[@thisguy.287]

This would be a good answer for the puzzle as it doesn't violate the paradox rule like their answer did.

[@SonikChaos]

It said you cannot ask a question, has to be a statement

[@akshaymali9032]

@@SonikChaos Then you can just say, "Schrodingers cat is alive"

[@fnors2]

Doesn't really work. The Troll needs to know the truth value. So it could open the box, see if the cat is alive and act on that result. The state of the cat is undetermined until observation. It's different from being both true and false at the same time.

[@RKBock]

schrödinger's cat is alive AND dead. not or. so the answer is yes.

[@Jellenax5000]

For the second riddle you would say: “The truth box will open because it contains the gold.” If this statement is true then it will open to reveal the gold. If the truth box has the poison then the statement is false so it will not open, meaning the false box will open to reveal the gold.

[@janetalksreel]

Finally, I can actually work one of these out. It's amazing that happens when it doesn't involve ALL THE MATHS!!

[@SeriousApache]

Quantum physics: "Allow me to introduce myself"

[@saumyashah7978]

Who else is never able to solve any of these?

[@sampreetbharali1421]

If you had said this, you would have freed everyone as this is neither true not false

[@ChetnaTripathi]

Hello, please motivate me by liking and subscribing to my channel if you like the content.

[@ojlove11]

Greg Fakerson lmfaoooooo

[@Erika-sd5ru]

Me

[@filipporosatti6243]

This was the first one I was able to resolve, and I made it in just a few seconds

[@matteodeguidi1687]

This is the first of your riddles that I answer right, I'm proud

[@genio2509]

1 Say either a double definition sentence like: "nothing is random". depending on your definition of random, be it "something that it's output can't be controlled (true)" or "something that is out of your control (false)". Or an opinion, like: "broccoli is delicious", for some people it is true and for others false. Both are true and false at the same time. 2 The treasure is the friends we made along the way (and you get the gold)

[@Chadlet_]

Could you not have said something along the lines of "I'm in a pickle"? while true the troll has figuratively placed you in a pickle (a difficult position in which there is not an easy answer) you are also not literally inside of a pickle. The statement would be both true and false and it would not be paradoxical. Please let me know if I'm mistaken or if you can see any cracks in my logic.

[@kmul79]

What's in the box My statement is similar to yours. I thought of saying, I can't win. If true, he releases animals but then I have won and he would have to release brother as well. If false, he releases brother but again I have won and he must release the animals as well.

[@reubennoel-hanson3719]

bro, this answer actually bangs

[@zooning-6843]

What's in the box there are some cracks, which is what if you where speaking any other language other then English (or just any language where that statement “im in a pickle” has no figurative meaning), but other then that i think your answer is less paradoxical then the one given, seeing as forcing the troll to make a paradox is the same as making a paradox, so he would just keep both.

[@zooning-6843]

Arya 16 yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... but you only really win when you set both free, so if only one gets set free then you lose, so you would get the paradoxes back only.

[@BasketCaysie]

That's an interesting/amazing way to look at it. Nice job dude

[@JakeunKangajji]

I think the phrase "You will not free the creatures" works too because if it was true, he would have to release them and that makes a paradox, so it has to be false, therefore releasing both the creatures and the brother. Words are fun.

[@anoukfleur2513]

So cool to see the shoutout to my man Smullyan :) Gotta say good job on the drawing, I knew immediately it was him despite the simplicity

[@GRBtutorials]

I got it! The statement is either “you will not release the creatures of Paradoxica” or “you will release my brother”. This way, whatever the troll does, he’ll be forced to release both.

[@theultimatereversecard524]

random person: "you will free my brother" Troll: "Aye, fair enough."

[@szweetsztuff]

Troll: I hate paradoxes Also troll: *lives in somewhere called paradoxica*

[@angelonasher]

Yes, first TED-ED riddle I've ever gotten right! Now off to watch more riddles without trying to solve them

[@iwillsurvive7370]

You just gotta love those victory dances.

[@Tommedian]

Step 1: tell your brother he has green eyes Step 2: he will ask to leave

[@dukedragon28]

you arent allowed to communicate though

[@susamogus8331]

And there are no mirrors

[@thecoolcongle5128]

the next step is to say a true sentence

[@jorgetomas968]

He doesn't tho He will be thrown into the jelly volcano

[@susamogus8331]

But what about the mad troll

[@bolonhesa843]

youtube keept recommending this to me for the past 2 months so ima watch it

[@camdickson9112]

Finally got one right after about 8 episodes!

[@maskofmany9208]

Me: “I have schizophrenia” Troll: *releases the paradoxical creatures Me: *hol up*

[@vynce9045]

I had a different solution. What if i just say "the creatures are jailed". This statement is true, so the creatures will get out. But after the creatures are out, this statement ist false, hence my brother can escape as well. This isn't so elegant as the official solution, but i thought it would make sense.

[@akazimirov]

I have a similar solution: "You released my brother". First it is false, so troll has to release him. Now it is true.

[@JubileeBloom]

I guess that would also work.

[@Sener]

It doesn't work. The statement is only true at the time it is said.

[@TheArchsage74]

No, that's not how it works. The statement refers to a particular point in time, not to any points in the future. The statement doesn't become false.

[@chiraggupta009]

The statement needs to sustain through the passage of time.

[@posfind]

this is probably the only Ted-Ed riddle i have legitimately solved, and it will be the only one.

[@-Lickwid-]

The first riddle I’ve ever figured out on the channel

[@sebastianelytron8450]

"Shouldn't you be on Reddit?" is what I would say.

[@neelparmar6690]

Or even a KZbin comments section?

[@ChetnaTripathi]

Hello, please motivate me by liking and subscribing to my channel if you like the content.

[@Requios]

Then he will only release the creatures...

[@RosheenQuynh]

That's a question so... you just killed everyone

[@stinkyhackboi4772]

It's false

[@confusionkale]

I don’t have a brother, so the troll can keep it’s air. I’m gonna go with “Bella ate the fire crystal”

[@rosie_gm]

The first time I’ve ever made up a random answer to one of these videos and it’s been right

[@destroidhak2556]

"what are you doing step-bro?" "Solving troll's riddle"

[@justyourfriendlypebble8943]

This is the first time I actually got one on my own with "you will free my brother" actually pretty proud of myself

[@donuthurtmyhoney8313]

"You have not released the the paradoxes." It's not a paradox, but its boolean status changes after it is first evaluated. He has not released the paradoxes, so it is true, so he releases them. Now, he has released them, making the statement false, so he releases my brother.

[@carloscaro9121]

"You will free my brother." "Yes, from this mortal coil. Too smart by half."

[@HORRIOR1]

My answer would have been, "The sky is blue."

[@spitfire334]

That's exactly what I thought lol.

[@Zhadow45]

Thats not a true statement though. The Sky LOOKS blue. But in reality is is not. Doesnt matter what it looks like..it matters what is true. And the truth of the matter is that it isnt actually the color blue.

[@cheekybum1513]

Zhadow45 plus, all that does if free the paradoxes, not your brother if it were true.

[@kaytk1762]

@@cheekybum1513 Yes, but the sky is mountains

[@Alex-ze5ps]

- "God exists"

[@Pomodorosan]

2:47 love the victory wiggle

[@theflamingmemes9081]

yay my first time actually solving one of these

[@Pablo-ob2bx]

Bonus Riddle Solution: "The true chest contains the gold." Two cases: 1. The true chest contains the gold. So the statment is true and the true chest opens while de false don't. 2. The true chest contains the poison. So the statement is false, and then the true chest don't open and the false release the gold. How to figure it out? Actually it is really simple. What do we want? We want to make a true statement when the true chests contains the gold and a false statement when the true chest contains the poison. So just say "The true chest contains the gold" and we are done. :)

[@slikshot6]

What if you said something random like "there are two chests in front of me", how then do we determine which one will open? And how do we determine what is inside that chest? I would think the true chest would open (because I am standing in front of two chests) but that doesn't tell us what would come out of it. And even if my statement was interpreted to be false (maybe I am also standing in front of gold and poison in addition to two chests), this doesn't tell us what is in side of the false chest.

[@akhil_kasiram]

Or you could have said it the other way, the gas is in the false chest

[@Pablo-ob2bx]

@@slikshot6 If you say "there are two chests in front of me" the true chest would open and, as you say, it can contain the poison or the gold, you don't know. That's the reason you can not say something "random" because then, depending on if the statement is true or false, the chest will open but you don't know what is inside. But in the case of "The true chest contains the gold", since both words "gold" and "true chest" are included it makes it work.

[@slikshot6]

@@Pablo-ob2bx Yea I was thinking how I would play this scenario out in my mind and I realized that if I couldn't control where the gold or poison was then it was truly random. Thanks for replying I just needed to bounce that question off of someone.

[@avainbaxter9318]

What if both chests open.

[@SocuteRaptor]

The answer is a paradox, so the troll eats the brother. Instead, you can say, "the Schrodinger cat is dead".

[@betin731]

The answer is not a paradox.

[@MysticLuster]

The statement "you will release my brother" would only be a paradox if the troll made your statement false by refusing to release your brother, because then he would have to release your brother which would make your statement true. This makes your statement a potential paradox, not an actualized paradox. Since the troll hates paradoxes, he will avoid making a paradox, by making your statement true.

[@kyliee3107]

@@betin731 The troll hates paradoxes but the statement about Schrodinger's cat is both true and false.

[@jedi_cat_l4976]

I think the answer to the bonus riddle is to say "the treasure is in the true chest" if this statement is true, then the true chest will open. But if it is false, that means it is in the fase chest, which will open. Or you could say "the gas is in the false chest" and get the same result

[@tomvanderhorst9943]

"You will free my brother" is less of a win for logic and more of a Jedi mind trick.

[@fran3835]

Then the troll rise it's hand and "frees" your brother over his mouth. The moral is don't f*** up with trolls.

[@suhaneegupta814]

THIS IS THE FIRST TED RIDDLE I ACTUALLY SOLVED!! WHEN DO YOU GUYS WANT THE PARTY TO BE??

[@kittykittycat_]

we'll have it under the full moon with the other 23 logicians. gonna be a fire rave.

[@theffects9545]

7 months later

[@suhaneegupta814]

@@theffects9545 😂😂

[@theffects9545]

🥳

[@ianAEF]

I did it guys. After binging TED-Ed videos, I finally solved one riddle.

[@akay6241]

My mind:idk Me:THERES ONLY 2 GENDERS

[@AwesomeDomi1]

Great riddle as always!

[@felixlee9645]

Agreed

[@notbiasedbutmarsbarstho]

Yeah

[@sumitchoube3875]

Answer to bonus riddle there can be two statments 1) treasure is in true box 2)tresure is not in false box

[@bagel8284]

3) gas is in the false box 4) gas is not in the true box

[@sumitchoube3875]

@@bagel8284 yep 👍

[@et496]

5) the treasure is not not in the true box 6) the gas is not not in the false box 7) the gas is not not not in the true box 8) the treasure is not not not in the false box

[@phasepanther4423]

You could also say "Opening the false chest will kill me." Or "I will live if the truth chest is opened." It can be worded in many different ways. But the basic concept is that the truth chest must be claimed as good. Whether it is or not.

[@minyayan9588]

And then the troll comes back and captures all the paradoxes again.

[@x0tt4z]

You can say "the content in the truth box will not kill me" - If (A) the treasure is in the truth box, you said a truth, so it will open. If (B) the treasure is in the false box, then the content on true WOULD kill you, so you said a lie, therefore opening the false box with the treasure.

[@chahituppal262]

What about "you are holding only the creatures of paradoxica"? It is false so he will release the brother, then it becomes true and he will release the creatures.

[@anatolydyatlov6182]

Technically at the time you said that statement, it false. So it only applies at that point in time. By the time the troll has released the brother, the statement no longer applies and so it is disregard. Like saying it is 12 o'clock (at my time it is 12), that is true but you would disregard the statement once it is 1 o'clock.

[@KuroroSama42]

@@anatolydyatlov6182 By that logic, the answer in the video is the same. It's false before he releases the brother and would be ignored while he's released.

[@ThiagoGlady]

@@KuroroSama42 Not at all, because "You will release my brother" implies a future possibility.

[@saugychip]

ThiagoGlady How about, "You will only be holding the creatures."

[@ThiagoGlady]

@@saugychip Well, that works too, i guess.

[@Riku70X]

AFTER YEARS OF BEING SUBSCRIBED AND WATCHING DOZENS OF THESE VIDEOS, I ACTUALLY GOT THE DAMN ANSWER FOR ONCE!!

[@someone8581]

The only riddle I've ever solved on this channel

[@rock21611]

I actually got this one! Thank you, Deltora Quest.

[@dijkkla9948]

I got the riddle but misinterpreted the rules. The awnser is a paradox, and the troll will do anything to avoid those. But I understood it like: "The troll will not release either the creatures or your brother, because it hates paradoxes, and will not cooperate if you state one." As for the bonus riddle... I'm gonna state the rules as I understand them: - You can only say one statement. - The statement must be true or false. (It may be both but then you'll die anyway ;) - One chest opens if you say a true statement, the other will open if the statement is false. - You do NOT know which chest opens by what stament. - You cannot refer to the chests like: "The chest that opens by a true statement contains the tressure." Because you do not know which chest reacts to which. (Kinda weird but my interpretation.) - You do NOT have to know yourself if your statement is true or false. (Again, my interpretation.) Does anyone know, and is able to explain, what the awnser is/would be, or if the rules I stated are incorrect (making it impossible)? EDIT: I've seen many solutions like: "The poison gas is in the false chest." and "The treasure is in the statement right chest." but is it possible to solve it any other way? It just seems so easy...

[@combogalis]

You were correct in your original interpretation of the first riddle. The troll would not cooperate if we'd said a paradox such as "This statement is false," because it hates paradoxes. Saying "you will free my brother" is not a paradox. What we did was force the troll to release both in order to avoid a paradox. As for the bonus riddle, what makes you say the fifth rule you listed is a rule? The video never says that you can't do that. That is the answer. You say "The false chest contains the poison gas," and that way if it's true, the true box opens and gives you the treasure, and if it's false, the false box opens and gives you the treasure.

[@thetri-bdojel2220]

It seems easy but it's a valid answer. You have to state an answer that's true if the treasure is in the true chest, and false if it's in the false chest. The only way you can do that is by having the location of the treasure determine wether the answer is true.

[@combogalis]

@@TheCLBrown If the answer is false, then he has to release his brother, since that was the condition. Dijkkla, I just saw your edit. If your complaint is that it's easy, that's because it is easy. It is especially easy because it's basically the same as the first riddle. There is no other solution.

[@douglaspantz]

You could say, "I will die by saying the false chest has gas".

[@courtney-ray]

Dijkkla I interpreted it the same way you did 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@colesilva7732]

By that same logic, couldn't you say "You won't free the creatures" Can't be true, because he'd be making a paradox, so it has to be false, forcing him to free both

[@hugofontes5708]

Forcing to free your brother is analogous to forcing to keep the creatures Assume it's true He keeps your brother and releases the creatures making it a paradox, so he must make the statement false by himself Assume it's false He releases them and must release your brother too I guess it works

[@thewanderingmistnull2451]

No, that one's a paradox on its own, and you can't say those. You have to make it a paradox _after_ he's done the first thing.

[@davispeterson]

@@thewanderingmistnull2451 It's not a paradox: the rules say the troll will release your brother if you lie, they don't say the troll won't release your brother if you tell the truth. The troll cannot keep your brother without breaking the rules, but he can release your brother even though you didn't lie. So he does.

[@thepolarsavage716]

What if the troll takes that statement to be false so he releases the creatures which in turn makes the statement true, thus enabling it to keep your brother?

[@colesilva7732]

@@thepolarsavage716 That would be a paradox where the statement was both true and false, which he can't do