Can you solve the giant spider riddle? - Dan Finkel

[@TEDEd]

Want to keep sharpening your spidey senses? Visit brilliant.org/TedEd to check out Brilliant’s 60+ courses in math, logic, science, and computer science. They feature storytelling, code-writing, interactive challenges, and plenty of puzzles for you to solve. And as an added bonus, the first 833 of you to use that link will receive 20% off the annual premium subscription fee.

[@CoinChaser1]

First!

[@the_fifth_letter]

Second

[@BaldSteveGaming]

Oogabooga

[@jullitaczajkowska4200]

joe

[@BOT-MERC]

Never been this early sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh

[@DarkSorcerer]

The fact that Ted Ed used so many references in a video all about spider stuff is awesome

[@solangelo707]

Charlotte's Web was a classic. My class read it so many times. It's one of my favourite books😭😭😭 Arachne's tale is also another one of my favourite myths. Props to Ted ed for all these references.

[@chaoticneutral7573]

Anansi - Western Africa Mythology Aranche - Greek Mythology Shelob - Lord of the rings

[@A_very_good_cheese]

I wanted an undertale reference though

[@wellingtonzachary4657]

@@chaoticneutral7573 another addition: aragog is the spider name in Harry Potter

[@bruceturnbull4219]

@@chaoticneutral7573 And then a Spider-Man reference at the end

[@chingamfong]

"At first it seems impossible" - Every TED ED riddle solution, ever

[@santanuroy3329]

Factsssss

[@wobblyorbee279]

"But if...."

[@kavithakavitha9193]

kzbin.info/door/shca8yGYGbrh_Rqko9zxMw

[@brandongarcia3478]

@Akane Yui it did

[@brandongarcia3478]

Yeah but what blows my mind is how do they even come up with these scenarios anyway???????

[@sleepy13843]

Imagine training for years to become the great spider champion only to see that a baby spider beat you to the throne

[@yusrarehan7950]

baby spider is the main character

[@jalenhumphry5297]

@@yusrarehan7950 no duh.

[@shinobix4925]

In the queen's defense though, the game was quite literally rigged so that she would literally have no way to counter the baby if it played optimally.

[@johnpatrickpal-ing8302]

the queen was about to die, they need a new queen, everything that happend to the baby spider was just a test of passion (she truly wants to rule), power (most of the spiders support her), obligation (by the end she placed a web around the city conquering mankind), and prospect (the queen's final test that proves that she thinks of the future as well).

[@Hiilikuja]

Then again it wasn´t just ANY baby spider! It was Charlotte from Charlotte´s Web - the most amazing of all spiders: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte%27s_Web

[@pranavkumar8144]

This reminds me of the chess concept of "opposition". You can use this concept to turn seemingly drawn king and pawn endgames into win. The chess equivalent of the strategy used in this puzzle is known as "triangulation" where you go in a triangle pattern to lose a tempo. I would encourage anyone interested in graph theory to look into chess "opposition".

[@erickpoorbaugh6728]

That's how I was able to notice the "color" issue and solve the riddle, especially since I've seen chess puzzles revolving around the fact that knights can't triangulate or where a long calculation is simplified by the fact that the pieces in question have to change color every turn. Step one is to figure out the need to triangulate via the end hub. Step two is like something between a Queen vs. King checkmate and using your King to force the opponent's King around in various endgames, both of which are part of basic endgame theory. And like in many chess endgames, you can only win by repeatedly putting your opponent in zugzwang. In fact, one common mistake beginners make when trying to checkmate in a winning endgame is to constantly check the opponent's King when it's often more productive to make non-checking moves that narrow the King's options and leave him with no choice but to move in the general direction you want, just like in this riddle.

[@slimjim6731]

Same!

[@nwoDekaTsyawlA]

Once triangulation comes to mind it is relatively easy to solve it, since the right edge has triangles in it.

[@DoctorSess]

I am just interested in getting better at chess so thanks

[@luqmaanhay4957]

This also works with king and rook endgames

[@cleolsd1841]

The fact that our super intelligent, problem-solving spider is called Charlotte is such a nice touch

[@forgottenetremembered]

Charlotte's Web.

[@debadityanath4398]

is it from that piratte riddle?

[@Cherylmayblii]

@@debadityanath4398I think it’s a reference to “charlotte’s web” actually

[@user-bp7vh5gc5n]

Ted Ed should do more riddles, they're the videos that everyone clicks regardless of the topic...

[@nishantshukla7255]

Don't matter if it makes any sense to us 🤣

[@mehtadeepika78]

Yes so true that's how I got to know this channel through the riddles I love solving them although I take time to get the right answer I just remember that even impossible says 'I'm possible'

[@michailtotev522]

TRUE

[@-nightlyfireflies-9561]

@@mehtadeepika78 that's a good method!

[@idontwannabeanonymous4725]

Ikr

[@reverently]

No, I can’t solve it. Thank you for believing in me though

[@ethanliang1836]

lol same

[@kyrectx2]

my exact thoughts: i sure can’t solve it, but i’ll enjoy the video i bet

[@satvikrk3500]

lol same

[@jonsparks3430]

Same bro

[@nicolsumash8559]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ludoviajante]

Any week that starts with a TED-Ed riddle is a good week. Much love from Brazil!

[@thelunaticcultist5157]

TED ED should come to Brazil!

[@OIlegaul]

Sou seu fã!

[@涛涛-u5h]

For me it’s Tuesday but ok

[@gasmaskboi6904]

Sorry but everytime I see brazil all I think is "your going to brazil"

[@DMenor12002]

Vc assistindo isso, ludo?

[@magicien233]

Walking around the house with my chest puffed out because I solved the spider riddle all by myself like a genius, bow to me mortals!

[@christinelemus7530]

ALL HAILLLLLL

[@muihoalim5230]

ALL HAILL

[@muihoalim5230]

LONG LIVE THE KING/QUEEN

[@bypig]

"The giant enemy spider" *Starts beatboxing

[@Gixin]

I clicked on this video specifically to find a comment like this

[@bypig]

@@Gixin how could you

[@dripapproved1582]

@@bypig he’s not alone 😈

[@zismyname4456]

@Gixin same

[@Leo-tc1vb]

Imagine being the spider queen and being subjected to a final game where you can be 100% defeated if your opponent knows what’s going on and not based on skills or anything

[@edyknight9218]

She could win if everytime you moved towards the far corner she also moved in that direction and then when you got there she would jump you because she would only be one move away from green. Giving her a 100% chance to win. This wasn't a very good puzzle.

[@nhavinedyourking7593]

@@edyknight9218 what do you mean "jump you"? Once you reach the green, she cannot reach the column of hubs closest to green because you will land on her spot

[@1upsoda]

@@nhavinedyourking7593 Edy Knight is assuming that the spider queen is allowed to capture you and thus win the game for herself (Which is fair because the rules never state that she will not or can not capture you). So if both you and the spider queen move directly to the green then by the time you land on the green the spider queen will already be on the column of hubs closest to the green and can just capture you while you are on the green. Basically the rules should clearify wether or not the spider queen is allowed to capture you.

[@nhavinedyourking7593]

@@1upsoda ahh that makes sense

[@Skarpo89]

As per usual in rules, if it doesn't say something, then it's not possible to do so. Nothing says the Queen couldn't hire a Bat to come and scoop up the contender and eat it, but I'm pretty sure it's not permitted.

[@helenkay716]

I always look forward to these riddles. Y'all have no idea

[@PLazz257]

It's true, I literally have no idea when I come across every riddle

[@michailtotev522]

Me too

[@arpitsrivstva]

@@PLazz257 Me too!

[@_stupidbro]

Same

[@flickoramacustomerservice1199]

ikr

[@elliotthood1719]

“You know what the answer is?” A GIANT ENEMY SPIDER **KAZZO INTENSIFIES**

[@PlatonicPluto]

that wasn't even a kazoo.. *it was the mans own mouth talent*

[@elliotthood1719]

@@PlatonicPluto oh my god you’re right 😦

[@elliottheckard3960]

I like your name

[@eddell01]

jerma985 xD

[@crabboio3105]

ah theres the comment

[@JohnKeegTVOfficial]

The real riddle here is how the Web from 0:41 is even possible!

[@nobodyknowsforsure]

"Once every century the world's greatest spiders --" Me: "Nope nope nope nope..."

[@doriansedler6190]

😆

[@k3ose45]

I felt that too man, i felt that too

[@AymenZero]

????

[@lucasball5336]

Go in and squash them all in one go

[@joannamysluk8623]

Yes, that is indeed a lot of nopes.

[@benjaminlee985]

I learned to solve this one from Crypt of the Necrodancer. Some enemies in that game move one square every time you move, so attacking them safely requires a similar calculation. If they're an even number squares away and you move next to them, they'll get the first hit on you, but if you make a waiting move (like hitting a wall), that forces them to move to the opposite colored square and you can move up and attack without fear.

[@DestroyerV]

"With great spider power, comes great spider responsibility" Wise words and great reference! :D

[@Luffy_wastaken]

Or as I would say... The multiverse is expanding

[@jamalak3472]

With no power, comes no rensoponsibility - Man

[@mochardiansah7452]

This quote really made my day

[@nameforcomments4092]

Yet if you say it with "cat" instead, I just find it hard to believe. Edit: but now I want to listen to some Cat Power albums.

[@milkimusic6683]

Yup.

[@Jerkoi-bg1jw]

The “Whirled Wide Web” pun was a really clever one

[@GraveUypo]

webdesign was too

[@SadAmourRoblox]

A

[@rachelle_banks]

@@GraveUypo Yes.

[@TheSowjanya]

*world

[@frostytheiceberg1127]

I KNEW IT! I literally went through "trap the mouse" style (you place boxes to trap a mouse, old flash game) and noticed you basically couldn't corner her, then i saw the tiny thing at the end. If you go up, and follow her as she goes off to the right, she'll be forced to the end bit and will be easy to catch. I didn't think it was that easy.

[@ninjanina4299]

I actually got it right, I never thought of the coloring method, but I did guess to go towards the end first and trap them in the corner. Love this video!

[@TENZEN._.]

I loved this! The "Web Design" & the reference to the Olympics "weaved" seamlessly into this riddle. 😉🕸

[@kyanleong8014]

And references about the book “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White.

[@monochromeart7311]

Also the reference to the World Wibe Web.

[@TENZEN._.]

@@kyanleong8014 That's right! 🕸

[@TENZEN._.]

@@monochromeart7311 true, & the spider-man reference at the end too. This was a fun video!

[@thegreenmamba100]

And Shelob is the spider from Lord of the Rings

[@seancos9154]

I feel like TED-Ed's riddles have gotten easier recently, which I really appreciate because even though they're still difficult, I'm actually able to solve them now.

[@suyashmisra394]

Or maybe you've got better at solving new problems

[@CrazyAvidGamer]

or maybe its both, they arent mutually exclusive

[@Batman_94]

This was nowhere close to being difficult

[@suyashmisra394]

@@CrazyAvidGamer yeah i agree . It would be quite a phenomenon if ted ed was tricking its viewers into feeling smart by gradually lowering the level of the problems lol

[@suyashmisra394]

@@Batman_94 I'm not sure. I think it's a fairly difficult problem which APPEARS a lot easier AFTER you learn the solution, but the solution itself is somewhat elusive. It's difficult because there is no standard algorithm, or recipe for tackling such problems. Understanding the strategy, and coming up with a winning strategy AND a proof why the strategy always works are two different things. if you really think it's an easy problem, then please tell me why the strategy works - but without using the parity argument. I think you'll realize it's a difficult problem with only one easy solution and a lot of blind alleys.

[@anshpudaruth5549]

I wish I could see those spiders have their real life turn based battle game

[@levisanchez1582]

Giant enemy spider

[@starshot8842]

@@levisanchez1582 DOO DOO...

[@Auriacularia]

@@starshot8842 bababababababbaba baaaa baaa BAP BAP ba BAP BAP

[@backupaccount5784]

Can you defeat the giant enemy spider? *Video cuts to jerma beatboxing*

[@vanshikaarun5241]

these riddles are just so fun to eventually give up on

[@maerosss]

Itsy Bitsy Me may have won, but being "itsy bitsy", I'm probably gonna soon get assassinated by Shelob anyway.

[@LEWIS1992]

Correct version: insey winsey.

[@MrDoctorProfessorWho]

@Repent to Jesus Christ Repent to Jesus Christ I can't even tell if this is a gimmick account.

[@wellshit9489]

@@MrDoctorProfessorWho probably an actual fanatic

[@joelhoon1707]

@Repent to Jesus Christ Repent to Jesus Christ excuse me this is not Edmund McMillen's The Binding Of Isaac

[@p3achyyp8p16]

@Repent to Jesus Christ Repent to Jesus Christ stop bringing your religious bs everywhere.

[@caiobastos9085]

I love how realistic these scenarios are

[@beverage8846]

Im not even here to solve it , I’m just hear to enjoy ted Ed

[@Alkalus]

It is…acceptable.

[@uncanadien3272]

It’s totally doable and pretty easy mate just have to try

[@venusfollo1199]

@@uncanadien3272 NO ITS NOT

[@venusfollo1199]

same

[@arthurdabest8569]

I never even try to solve it

[@onasubmarinemissionforyou]

Love the creativity that goes in creating the lore behind the riddle.

[@le_assassin2476]

When I was watching it at the start of the puzzle, I realised that they would have to be cornered, as there is no possibility for you being able to move into them. When they said cornering doesn't work, I was confused because that's exactly how I figured out how to win. I was happy for the conformation. Also, On your 5th move, it is actually possible to win in 8 moves and not 10, depending on where they were. Overall, great puzzle. Simple, but great.

[@whydoihavetousemyname5603]

I had Jerma's "Giant enemy spider" video recommended next to this video lol

[@andrewjordan7160]

Lel

[@J11_boohoo]

Unlike most of Ted-Ed’s riddles, this is actually something we can do fairly easily given enough time or just by pure intuition

[@TyrannicalToad]

What about that "Mogwarts" riddle?

[@hystericalbroad]

yeah i thought that point on the farthest right'd have something to do with the answer

[@skya6863]

Yea i thought it out in 10 mins or so but I needed to see the first couple seconds of the solution in order to even understand the riddle correctly. I was unsure wheather or not you could catch her on moves before the tenth or if it counted as a catch if she moved on top of you

[@konstantinkh]

@@skya6863 Yeah, I was unsure about it at first, but once I realized the even/odd pattern, it was clear that the rules have to be as demonstrated later for the problem to work. Would have been nice if they stated that more clearly up front, though.

[@jobobrien1420]

Yeah, this one was pretty easy but due to the prestige of being a Ted-Ed riddle, almost all of which are far above my skill level, I'm still pretty damn proud of myself for solving this one

[@lucasgaming61]

The fact that the spider made a Klein bottle out of string is just outstanding.

[@elizabethanntarter]

I was on the right track with that far spot but didn’t even think about back tracking

[@krishnakumarverma4115]

I love the concept of WHIRLED WIDE WEB 🤣🤣🤞

[@joaquinm9148]

Same

[@bokocop5725]

@Salah Mohamed watch the video

[@gabehockett]

I always knew I’d be a cute spider

[@milkimusic6683]

Haha! Me too.

[@TheRealAbrahamLincoln]

This is very similar to the chess concepts of opposition and triangulation. If your opponent has the opposition, you normally cannot get around the enemy king, but if you can triangulate your own king but your opponent cannot, you are able to.

[@pancakespk]

I was about to comment the exact same thing. Those concepts helped me solve the puzzle.

[@agilitykissa]

yeah, solved the thing easily because of exactly this. I happen to really like chess.

[@myorkka]

what

[@quinnception631]

you're so open minded

[@emmasthus9746]

I appreciate Ted-ed giving me a backstory so I can feel fully immersed in this math problem

[@normanbates5182]

Does Queen Shelob have to move every time it's her turn? Or can she stay where she is if she wants to?

[@emmasthus9746]

@@normanbates5182 it seems like neither party can skip their turn

[@superairdog6136]

I didn’t realize that the rest of the string to the converging point was one move :/ I was confused, thinking that it wasn’t showing the entire built out board and that there were more intersections.

[@Viltris]

The TED-ED logo convenient blocks that point, which makes it hard to see. This was very much a "I failed to solve the puzzle because I didn't know all the rules" kind of puzzle.

[@Ajax020Paris]

Don’t give up maybe next time you will get it!

[@blunderstruck1]

after rewatching older Ted Ed puzzles, I noticed that quite a few of them reference polarity. using that knowledge, I’m happy to say this is the first Ted Ed riddle that I’ve completed that wasn’t excessively easy

[@ghost-hn2lh]

ted-ed: “can you solve the-“ everyone: “no”

[@Razuki5]

Maybe give me more than five seconds

[@JJean64]

@@Razuki5 you can pause the video you know

[@skycatminepokie]

That was great. One of the few I've solved on my own, too! I thought of it like a chess endgame. First, I figured out what would happen if the enemy had the first move. I found that it would be a win for me as long as I moved to be diagonal from her, putting her in Zugzwang. The trouble was "passing the turn." Because I could use the last point to mimic a chess triangulation tactic, I decided to see what would happen if I rushed there. I found that if the enemy raced for it, I would win by moving to the diagonal points, kind of like taking the opposition in chess and putting them in Zugzwang each time. I tested it out with the enemy choosing the stay on the back, and it still worked, so I determined that that was the answer. Who knew chess would win me the Spider Olympics?

[@SyahirAzfar5]

Giant ememy spider

[@TheWorldEndsWithYou954]

THE GIANT ENEMY SPIDER **sick beatboxing**

[@SwaggySun]

This made me less scared and more scared of spiders.

[@RafaelMunizYT]

so you're probably as scared of spiders as you were before

[@RaptrRamblings]

AHH THE PUNS-I swore out loud at Whirled Wide Web I loved it

[@iceypumpkinhead]

I personally find it terrifying that at any point in time a single spider could choose to have all spiders attack whatever they choose

[@סהרטיחובר]

I'm happy trianguling in chess has taught me something. This entire riddle is very similar to a chess endgame puzzle haha

[@isaakyhsialf4369]

in chess u cant have that green spot so ur point is just bs

[@tesselvandijk3632]

yea i was looking for someone else who noticed the similarity with chess !

[@markfinnicum8340]

I felt it was more of an opposition puzzle. The Queen spider started with the opposition, so you had to use the right point to take it away

[@commenturthegreat2915]

@@isaakyhsialf4369 Do you always get aggressive when you don't understand something?

[@yoppelpanger]

This felt like the King + Queen vs King checkmate haha

[@WowUsernameAvailable]

Charlotte, who has a web, Queen Shelob, the Whirled Wide Web, "wowing the crowd with your web design"... - everything about wordplay and intertextuality in this video is adorable.

[@Mori_.]

I’m I the only person who just like the story of the riddles 😂

[@michael.e534]

Nope :)

[@HarshDude126]

I watch Ted Ed riddles for the plot.

[@milkimusic6683]

Nope, me too!

[@krishp4907]

"Web design" and "whirled wide web!!" Great puns!!!

[@krishellenberg5715]

0:30 I BOUTTA HAD A HEART ATTACK WHEN THE ARAGOG RAN TOWARD THE CAMERA IM NOT USUALLY AFRAID OF SPIDERS ALSO MY FAV BOOK IS TRUE CONFESSIONS IF CHARLOTTE DOYLE SINCE THE MAIN CHARACTER SPIDER IN THIS VIDEO IS NAMED CHARLOTTE (I KNOW THE CHARLOTTE THING IN THIS IS A REFERENCE TO SOMETHING ELSE BUT STILL)

[@goldngamer1365]

I have arachnophobia and any digital spider moving at me wouldn't scare me in the slightest. Are you sure you aren't afraid of spiders?

[@Brydav_Massbear]

I love all the shout outs you guys included here.

[@thenerdycousins9099]

0:12 “Spider Games” Video was made: August 10 Me: If only you knew what was to come

[@manjularathaur9712]

No one: Literally no one: Me: *wondering why Aragog has a patch on his eye when he is already blind.*

[@retosius7962]

he has pink eye

[@rageraptor7127]

He got da drip

[@nyanSynxPHOENIX]

Also, spiders don't have just two eyes, so it doesn't even work that way either, haha

[@Aurich88]

Shelob shoulda had it, since Samwise the Brave poked one out.

[@dragendghast]

@@nyanSynxPHOENIX actually it depends on the species, there are even some spiders that have 0 eyes since they live in complete darkness!

[@ryanymous2138]

Another day, another amazing riddle from TedED to watch and solve!

[@randypandy13]

Loved all the little references you managed to throw in. The Charlotte's Web references at the end really made me chuckle.

[@grithersound]

Interesting! I'm sure kids everywhere will enjoy this challenging problem-solving-exercise disguised as a children's story.

[@bruisedturtle7306]

the giant enemy spider *beatboxing*

[@thechickenwizard8172]

Here's the real way to solve this puzzle: Step 1: confirm you have green eyes. Step 2: politely ask shelob to give uo the throne

[@wasifzakwan8722]

Works every time

[@SonicLoverDS]

That doesn't even make sense this time.

[@aturtlenearyou]

@@SonicLoverDS its an inside joke

[@exeman-xh1pu]

@@aturtlenearyou maybe there are fan of the guard on the dictator

[@SonicLoverDS]

@@aturtlenearyou Aren't jokes supposed to be funny?

[@athanasiosp.]

When you enter spider olympics and the finals are just a game where the challegnger ALWAYS wins against the champion if he knows the algorithm to solve the puzzle. I am gonna call it a fixed match ladies and gentlemen. Queen Shelob had no chance to win right from the very beginning.

[@TheTakato122]

Except she could just eat you. Nothing in the rules about that.

[@ratoim]

Plot twist: The game was designed with that end in mind. If you want to rule all of spiderdom for a century, you'd better be smart enough to figure out strategy.

[@athanasiosp.]

@@ratoim Queen Shelob sitting there like: Did she understand the algorithm through the years or not? When the challenger b lines to that single green point. Queen Shelob: *Chuckles*, I'm in danger.

[@ccampbell9176]

Yawwwn...this didn't exactly get the spidey sense tingling.

[@EmperorProtects1]

@@athanasiosp. What if queen shelob goes to the green point first? :troll:

[@abhishekpattanayak1443]

Queen Shelob: (big-boss trying to conquer the world) Charlotte: (10 year old you beating the boss on first try) Me: My spidey-senses are tingling, as if this is deja vu ( *I wanna be the very best......* )

[@piyushkashyap2889]

To catch them is my test

[@shivamjaiswal439]

@@piyushkashyap2889 और सिखाना मकसद मेरा... 😂

[@A_very_good_cheese]

*avatar the last airbender intensifies*

[@jagpreetsingh6711]

I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Teach Pokémon to understand The power that's inside

[@nicreven]

@@A_very_good_cheese well aang is technically 100+ years old

[@DoFliesCallUsWalks]

you don't need to do this. just 5 moves will do. move up the first step and then move parlel to her moves. the 4th move later she'll be on the green dot and you can catch her there

[@arthurdabest8569]

1- confirm that you have green eyes 2-Ask shelob to leave

[@soyanshumohapatra]

*"With great spider power, comes great spider responsibility"* *"With great spider responsibility, comes more spider problems"*

[@soyanshumohapatra]

@whatever oliver 😂😂

[@evancheng3747]

When I heard anansi arachne and aragog I was wondering where Shelob was, glad she’s here.

[@rhunter42dragon]

All we're missing are Ungoliant and Lucas.

[@hahaha00000]

The LOTR and Harry Potter references satisfy me.

[@Maxawa0851]

And the Charlotte's web

[@Maxawa0851]

And the greek myth

[@samueljo7910]

Also, I'm willing to be that Ungoliant (mother of all spiders In LOTR, was the first champion here)

[@rhunter42dragon]

And Anansi, who I think is from African folklore. But where's Lucas?

[@siddharthannandhakumar6187]

I thought the same 'Catch the opponent' rule applied to the blue spider too... With that in mind i moved the spider so not to get caught by the blue one on the next move... Simulated the blue's move and I think I did it... using the same node

[@edwardwilloughby3783]

You can’t always shrink the larger of the 2 numbers (horizontal and vertical distance) to catch her. If for example you are at the blue dot on your turn that you are on in the example, and she is 3 dots above you on the red, and you chase her vertically, she can run to the green dot and move back to being uncatchable in 10 moves. The algorithm you describe just doesn’t work for every case.

[@flavafee]

The algorithm you’re mentioning only applies once you’ve come between Shelob and the green dot (3:34) in the video. So your situation should never happen, since if she enters the same column as you, you will already have been able to catch her if you picked the correct red dot to go to after visiting the green dot

[@DarkSorcerer]

Finally, another awesome riddle!

[@jmbw4271]

It wasn’t clear to me that the whirled wide web has a definite amount of hubs so i couldn’t solve this one. Still had fun trying!

[@shucayb-samir5878]

Thank you very much “TED-Ed” 🔥

[@RomeoDemianWalker]

I saw the solution immediately! I understood that the situation of the spiders on the web is identical to the position which two kings alone on a chessboard. It’s like creating opposition in chess!

[@MaddieFishblob]

0:58 wait chasm is pronounced as “casum” ?! 🤯 I’ve read it in so many books but never heard it out loud 😂😆😂 just assumed it was said the way it was spelled

[@quest-n7521]

3:40 this technique is used in chess endgame

[@malphas6670]

Fun Fact: Shelob is actually an character from The Lord of the Rings.

[@brianguo4860]

Yeah I think we all know that (Right?)

[@krum1703]

"As the ruler of all spiders I command my subjects to invade the human homes. Point of entrance shall be de bathroom/toilet". Me, the spider supreme, 11/8/21.

[@angelmiau8445]

Underrated comment

[@romanscum5678]

Underrated comment

[@plamenkirilov5813]

Underetrd comment

[@amos083]

The description of the problem is incomplete: What is Shelob's goal? Can she catch me?

[@chipyopthemf9937]

THE GIANT ENEMY SPIDER * giant enemy spider music *

[@CoinChaser1]

Who else is here just to see another awesome ted-ed video 👀

[@stanley8527]

Step 1: Confirm you have green eyes Step 2: Ask shelob to leave the web

[@LEWIS1992]

Came here to find this. Was not disappointed. XD

[@stanley8527]

@@LEWIS1992 i dont even remember writing this comment thanks for reminding me of this video dude

[@CamScam18]

I actually thought of something, I haven't seen the answer, but what if the answer is chasing Shelob to the point on the right by moving up one and following to the right turn after turn until she corners herself and you're one space away from grabbing her? After that you just slide over and grab her. Edit: Ok well I guess the answer was kinda the opposite, but I wasn't wrong about the point being useful.

[@kweenleo2265]

im glad someone else thought of this too

[@BerryTheKirb]

0:41 POV: When you miss the pigs entire base in Angry Birds:

[@ursalight]

i really like these logic puzzles, it is alot better than the prisoner riddles that bring up info that wasnt mentioned in the original riddle

[@Sooyush]

I started playing chess last year, realised almost immediately we need to wait a move in that extra square

[@alibalik4481]

yes my chess experience helped me too. it losing a tempo with a triangular manouver and the only place to do so is clear

[@1DFM1]

the concept u think of is called "opposition" in the end game when u only have king + pawn vs king u use exactly this trick to win the game

[@Sooyush]

@@1DFM1 no shut up

[@ruxosgaming2633]

@@Sooyush you shut up he is right

[@Lance0]

Classic right triangle

[@reda29100]

0:52 World Wide Web Wide Tech Support Association

[@oasisflame]

1:41 yeah basically charlotte has to trap the queen by reaching the right end enclosing the queen and cutting off her every move until you eventually trap her.

[@suchitmehta9199]

imagine winning the game and being the commander of spiders only to be squashed by a human....

[@autumnisfalling9956]

i barley understand what they say but i understand it more than what i learn in school (or anywhere actually).

[@ayvasovskiy6726]

Hey I solved this one finally! As well, I commend your animations, TED-Ed

[@vietinamese]

Okay, there was no mention on how far the web expanded until the convergent point and by only having 10 moves to catch her, no one will know if going to the convergent point will either be beneficial or just a waste of moves. it could have been 5 moves, 7, all 10 moves, but who knows, cause it wasn't disclosed beforehand and only at the end when the answer was given. A good riddle has all the facts laid out for the solver and it's up to the solver to piece them all together, but with this riddle, you're withholding critical information that is needed to truly answer this riddle.

[@seedooo5315]

“Once you step onto a strand you must continue moving in the same direction until you reach the next hub” so from the last blue/red point (the 4 nearest to the green point) to the green point is one turn by definition. Turns are not dependent on distance. Unless you mean you don’t know how many points you have to cross before you reach the convergence point. Well, there’s a diagram for a reason.

[@commenturthegreat2915]

They literally showed the complete web at the start, what are you talking about

[@SCP--fj2jr]

me: *There won't be any riddle to solve if there isn't any riddle.* **brings out flyswatter**

[@notevenclose.]

Now do a " how to defend the crown" from this riddle.

[@lukeg5545]

the klein bottle for the web design was amazing...

[@apaultarter1184]

0:01 for me that was only true when I watched Lucas the spider.

[@pablovonpablo2590]

There was nothing in the rules about REMOVING paths. My solution was to remove vertical strands as I crossed or passed them, making only the right endpoint a viable hub where two strands meet by the 7th move.

[@pepijnstreng4643]

There was also nothing in the riddle about using a gun, so I just shot the damn spider so she would stay still

[@christopherrogers1818]

Well, it's a spider web so if you remove any of the web, it will kill it's integrity

[@namlehai2737]

Hey,i solved this one. I would summarise the solution as "changing the parity of the manhattan distance, then zoning as if checkmating with king and rook"

[@stephendonovan9084]

I thought of the last bit more like the naïve method for mating with queen and king (the knight's move opposition one)

[@wat-o-melon]

that was the smoothest Segway ive ever seen dang

[@lixnox_gamer2528]

The giant enemy spider *intense spider noises*

[@swoolly]

could you not just move up one space so the queen is forced to move towards the tip, so you follow underneath her until you stop her at the tip?