The Impossible Figure Eight Puzzle

[@FLEBpuzzles]

-[black ball number] -[small carpet] -[chemical symbol for iron]

[@carolynnchang9043]

eight rug fe?

[@AlphaStix]

wow I gotta start paying more attention to the comments you post. There's a puzzle in everything you do.

[@samo7230]

Eight mat fe

[@endery4ssir499]

figure eight (scattered)

[@JustAnothAznNPerson]

8matfe?

[@Yairoo]

.About to go to sleep .Sees a new Fleb video .Watches it .Spends the next hour reading math papers about topology puzzles Thanks Fleb

[@FLEBpuzzles]

No problem! :D

[@hardstyle3196]

yair yosephy Im puzzled as to why you woukd do that

[@inactive6200]

have a nice night

[@Luchablay]

Is a puzzle still a puzzle if there is no solution?

[@raquel82395]

Billy Raby I think the puzzle is to explain why it is unsolvable

[@Luchablay]

Raquel Rocha that makes sense.

[@jenNjuice]

Fester Blats I'd call it inpuzzable.

[@1003Alfred]

Even it's impossible, it's still being called a "puzzle". Because it tricks you to think hard how to solve it, it "puzzles" you!

[@want-diversecontent3887]

Billy Raby The puzzle is not impossible, you can figure out the figure-8 thing is impossible.

[@kat8275]

I discovered you today, and I love your content. Not only are the puzzles and their solutions interesting, but your voice and commentary add to a calming, intelligent aura in each of your videos. I hope you will upload more videos in the future because I'm sure I'm not the only one that loves your content.

[@rosemary7634]

I think you are my favorite puzzle channel I've come across so far. You're solutions are easy to follow, and you always have a interesting puzzle as well as some background information. Keep it up!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you very much!

[@mushroomjoey]

my reaction: 1. every puzzle for me is unsolvable 2. i am amazed that there are published paper about a puzzle 3. Fleb and I live in two different world

[@ianzen]

KittyCutieJoey some puzzles are just that hard! Actually a lot of math have their origins in puzzles

[@physchy945]

You are the only puzzle channel I follow because, in my experience, you are the only puzzler whose love for puzzles is contagious. It's wonderful to hear the explanation for puzzles I'm probably never going to even hold because you get excited and as a result, I get excited. Thanks FLEB

[@emuwarrior13]

1:38 So that's what Zezima did before RuneScape

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I am reading about the reference now, and boy that's a rabbit hole!

[@cgcdesign3242]

I didn't want to say it but I was thinking it :P

[@mursie100]

wat? Explain please...

[@joltedjon]

Zezima is the username of a guy who played runescape, he was/is the highest ranked player on runescape for awhile.

[@casualtoaster2229]

I love Fleb he always answers everyone's comments and makes Awesome videos!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks! I don't answer everyone's comments, but I try to!

[@casualtoaster2229]

FLEB your so cool!

[@Tom-vx7qh]

Casual Toaster you're

[@djjoshplacid83]

i just dont understand. whats the point of making this and calling it a puzzle when it cannot be solved.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

The puzzle is figuring out why it can't be solved. The most famous example of this type is probably the 15 puzzle: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_puzzle

[@djjoshplacid83]

thank you for the reply. i just dont understand it no matter how hard i try. thank you though and btw i love you videos. i love the sequential discovery and mechanical type puzzles like the isis series by sonic games uk. i wish i could find someplace online that sold a bunch of different puzzles like the ones you solve in your videos but it seems like all the one i like the best arent for sale anymore or you can only get them at those puzzle conventions where you get them directly from the puzzle makers. its Unbelieveable how these people come up with the ideas to make these compmex puzzles. id love to learn more about it and try making a puzzle of my own

[@Harumy0810]

If the puzzle is why it can't be solve then it's simple it can't be solve because you put the yarn before closing the wire. A puzzle similar to this is solvable if you put the yarn after closing the wire. After all I'm not sure if all I just said was right...

[@laramuis]

Thanx for the answer. I never thought about it that way. I don't like puzzles when you can't solve them. I really want them to seperated.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

+Lara Maaike Fair enough!

[@WalrusRyder]

Impossible puzzles like these make great fiddle toys.

[@johnrheinheimer8651]

I always wait for the next puzzle to come out. These videos are amazing. I love watching them on my free time

[@FLEBpuzzles]

It always makes me happy to read comments like these. Thank you very much!

[@WesleyBakewell]

Probably your best content yet, thanks man. Always interested in more puzzle content.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks! I'll try to make more like it!

[@ComeOneFeet]

Here's a design question for you: How could you modify or iterate on this puzzle so that it is possible to solve?

[@FLEBpuzzles]

There are a number of interesting variant, all of which are possible. Maybe I'll cover one soon!

[@ssizko]

I don't even own a preschool level puzzle but still finds these videos FASINATING

[@KapustaCuber]

I never pause your videos to try and figure it out myself... except this time, when I paused it right before you said it was impossible and spent 5 minutes manipulating it in my head. I picked the wrong day to try thinking laterally.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Oh no! I hope you had a good time doing so!

[@TheChirpingPhoenix]

One of your coolest videos yet, good job!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@errinwellman1960]

Fleb, you're growing so quickly!! This is one of my favorite new channels!!!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

It's crazy! It's becoming hard to keep up with the comments! Thank you for your kind words!

[@NeoCipher790]

I'm in love with your intro. So simple. So nice. "My name is fleb." I like it.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@mook403]

You make me enjoy puzzles, even if I don't like solving them. Thanks, FLEB :)

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you for watching!

[@bogdanmitrovic1180]

I just love your videos. In fact, your videos are only ones I watch till the end :) Could you, please, make a video showing some your homemade puzzles? You made this one, right? Why not some others? I think it would be cool. Thanks and keep going ;)

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Sure! I like to make old wire puzzles from patents in the US Archive. This Thursday, I'm going to start doing a DIY Wire Puzzles series. I hope you like it!

[@bogdanmitrovic1180]

Yay! Can't wait!

[@Yell0w_d0ggg]

I'm always so excited when I see a new Fleb vid has been upladed haha!

[@martin6769]

Another great video from FLEB. Keep up the good work dude!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@cindycasely9245]

I like the video. Also I'm VERY glad that you shortened the "spoiler break".

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks! I shortened the break because commenters told me it was a good idea. Almost all of the structural changes come from the comments!

[@mobiexdxd]

This video is different, so happy to see FLEB teaching the way of thinking a solution. :D

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I'm trying to do more of that. I feel it's something I can do which will get more people into puzzling!

[@darioiii9773]

This was great, i loved seeing how you apply your thought process of solving to show one is unsolvable.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Again, it's not a proof. But, it's a way that you might intuitively understand why it's impossible. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@beth-rg8bm]

love your channel Fleb!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you very much!

[@donnypassary5798]

Love to see some more "false" puzzle like this! Like 15-puzzle or other prized puzzle which actually has no solutions.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

The 15 puzzle is on the list, but probably not in the way you expect. Stay tuned!

[@blixology]

How do you only have 90K subs?! You deserve at least 2.5 million subscribers!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I don't deserve anything! I'm still floored that 90K people subbed to me! I feel like I can't visualize that number of people!

[@renaton1215]

that's a very interesting content, keep it it up fleb !

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@infinitygeek1571]

I'm gonna make this and have my sister try to solve it for hours 😂

[@wexasmr3516]

good info and I love your videos

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@MasterMindmars]

Thank you for the info. I didn't now the book Creative Puzzles of the World

[@kevinm1317]

Very creative of you to make this yourself seems great :D

[@FLEBpuzzles]

You can make it too! It just requires some string and wire!

[@thechocolatefactory]

FLEBBAY!

[@MrZechenMa]

It basically boils down to proving that the 'figure 8' is a topological object with a well defined interior and exterior, which is a property shared by all objects which a loop can't get off from.

[@Robertlavigne1]

You got me! I saw the puzzle, Saw I could make it at home, paused the video and struggled for 45 minutes before deciding the impossible in the title must be a literal one. I picked up RYB. Fun game!! Some day if you're looking for a video topic you should discuss the puzzle design in that game. I'm interested to hear how you put them together.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I hope you had a good time with the puzzle! And with RYB! Maybe I'll make a video about it some day, but I'm saving that for a project in the near future. Stay tuned...

[@Mibbzz]

hey FLEB! I had an idea after watching this video. Perhaps you could post a video about a puzzle like this and give a quick tutorial on how to make it ourselves. Then in a couple days post the solution. Just an idea! These videos are my guilty pleasure, love how we're all just here to have some fun.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I think I'll do some more "homemade puzzles", but include the solution with the video. You can decide whether to watch it or not!

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

I was about to pause the video and try to solve it. Glad I watched for a few more seconds

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Whew! Dodged a frustrating bullet there!

[@kwerboom]

Thank you for doing this video. I feel less bad about my puzzle solving skills. When I can't solve puzzles, I place all the blame on myself being as puzzle solving isn't my forte. I tend to forget that there are prank puzzles and poorly designed puzzles. Thanks to this video, I now know there are actual impossible puzzles that apparently need their own Snopes page due to fake solutions floating around. Also, thank you for showing a technique to test if a puzzle is possible in the first place with a simpler puzzle design as that is something a non-puzzler wouldn't think to do.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

You should never feel bad about your puzzle solving skills! Solving puzzles is mostly experience. Getting acquainted with different puzzle types, and common puzzle techniques, goes a long way to making an expert puzzler!

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

I'm digging the more frequent uploads! I hope you can make this a worthy investment of time.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

It's already a worth investment! I'm just happy more people are getting interested in puzzles! There have been a couple of other people who started making puzzle videos too, which is really cool!

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

Thats awesome ! I have been into twisty puzzles for a couple of years and only recently. Actually it was your xbox/xman box video that got me into other puzzles.

[@cthecanning]

I really like this video. It's such a simple puzzle, and it's legit impossible to solve. Both of those things are pretty uncommon for KZbin puzzles! I've loved your channel for a while now and I thought I'd leave a comment. Please keep creating content!

[@Nintendoshi]

Wait, is it possible for the yarn version at the end that the red string could get pushed through the bottom of the hole to get through? Maybe I'm visualizing it wrong there, but what happens if you move the red circle above the loop with the hole, and push the bottom of the red yarn up through it.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Why don't you build it and find out?

[@elidunn8901]

The knot that you made is one of the ways you can solve it

[@jimpoulos01]

Wow. I never do this, but I watched how you made your own, paused the video, and went and made my own and went at it for a while, before giving up and playing the rest of the video, where you immediately explain that this is not solvable. I feel stupid.

[@julia4740]

great video! i havent thought about it like that before. keep up the good work

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@agamenc]

I know you make videos on physical puzzles, but, as a game designer, I would love to see your thoughts on Hexcells! Its an amazing steam game that I find incredibly satisfying and fun to play, and each new mechanic makes the game even more amazing!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I love Hexcells! Where do you think RYB came from? It's Hexcell's mechanics with my own ideas about how to design constrained puzzles!

[@agamenc]

I could see the resemblance in the minimalist style and the minesweeper style of play, but I just assumed that there were other games that had done similar styles as well (squarecells and pictopix come to mind). Now that you pointed it out, Hexcell's influence seems so clear, but I had never truly noticed it before! I would love if you discussed your methods for creating puzzles in RYB, even if its a simplification, as I develop games as a hobby and I've always wanted to create a puzzle game!

[@SBVCP]

Hey fleb, i loved th evideo, but, offtopic, can you make a video about making easy to make, wire/string puzzles? most puzzles price tags are out of my reach

[@Clawed1234]

Can you do more homemade puzzles?

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Yes!

[@Zipo214]

Topology uses a technique that also reduces a complex figure into an equivalent shape (or rather surface) that visually may seem simpler. I didn't read the paper, and I'm not a mathematician, but this is basically what a puzzler may do also by simplifying a puzzle into an analogous form In order to see solutions or no solutions.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I did talk to a few mathematicians before making this video. If you're talking about continuous deformations, which topology uses, that's definitely analogous to making the puzzle floppier. But the fundamental technique in the proof uses something called the "fundamental group", which doesn't really have a good analogy!

[@RyanNichols888]

Hey Fleb, what's your favourite puzzle? and could you make a video about it? Cheers!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

My favorite puzzle is a custom puzzle my friends made me for my wedding. It measures 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet and includes a working phone! I will make a video about it eventually, I'm just not sure how to present it!

[@TreacherousTetrisTerrorist]

Wow, never thought that I'll see topology in this channel.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Math actually has a lot of connections to puzzles! It can be a little bit inaccessible at times, though, so I try to explain it another way.

[@sw0rdz]

This blew my mind! I just started collecting puzzles. I have a degree in math. I didn't think about applying math to puzzles.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

There's lots of math! Twisty puzzles can have their moves modeled by groups! Not to mention all the binary/grey code based puzzles!

[@JustinPayton]

Started with the Xbox puzzle because of Reddit, and I haven't looked back. Keep it up, Fleb.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Have you really been watching that long? That's awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@islamadnan4003]

what if you try to take it out through the nots, like a key from the ring of a keychain?

[@MakarovSoftware]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

You're welcome!

[@awalterm]

I don't know if the figure 8 and the small circle have to be at a specific length in relation to each other. But if not, I believe I just solved it. It took me longer to construct the puzzle using wires than to solve it.

[@jackmeagher3623]

Whoa! FLEB, I didn't know you had a math background!

[@Lucian_Andries]

If it can't be solved, then it's not a puzzle. It's pure logic!

[@Druhveen]

love this one :D

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you very much!!! :)

[@deanchur]

One day there was a truck stuck under a bridge; the driver had a high load and thought they could pass through, but the load became stuck at the bottom of the bridge, making the truck immobile. A team of engineers gathered and were working out how to move the truck, when a nearby child who saw the commotion said "Why don't you just deflate the truck tyres?". This puzzle seems as though it's designed to teach new context. There's no rule that say the string cannot be untied, so just untie the string.

[@natewheatshelf]

Legend has it, if one were ever to actually solve the infamous figure eight puzzle, one would receive a coupon in the mail the very next week for a dollar off a medium order of fish sticks from participating Long John Silver's restaurants. It's only a legend the old timers used spread around though.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

If this is true, this is hilarious. If it's false, it's hilarious. I really like the idea of false, small-scale puzzle legends.

[@ryanemery8015]

Could you just run the red string between the twists on one side of the wire to get it out?

[@thrillscience]

C'mon Fleb! I can't believe there's a puzzle that's impossible for *you*. I want to see you solve this.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

First you want me to hike in the mountains and find treasure with you, and now you want me to solve an impossible puzzle! It's one or the other, thrillscience! :p

[@thrillscience]

Ok. I guess if I had to pick one it would be the mountain hike looking for treasure.

[@DeshierArchitecte]

Unwind one end, problem solved. GENIUS

[@jessewelsch2874]

Put the string in the middle of the 8 puzzle going through one loop and then move it around half the 8 and boom string off

[@gustavogonzalez2803]

Step 1: put string puzzle in pocket Step 2: take puzzle out of pocket and there you go! damn pocket tangling/untangling demons.

[@johnchancey3941]

Great video! If I weren't already subscribed, I would after watching this one. :-)

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you very much!

[@thesultanmerchant]

what is the gauge of wire and material?

[@Buglet]

So why is it called a puzzle if it doesn't have a solution? And also another awesome video as always

[@FLEBpuzzles]

The puzzle is then to determine why it's impossible! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@jcpenney8226]

Hey fleb, have you ever solved a rubik's cube before?

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Yes! I can solve one, but not very quickly. I can solve it intuitively, though!

[@cinquedea]

You should provide links to your references like that book that I will buy. :)

[@skywalkersounds7020]

Hi FLEB! :) :)

[@sierrastone9749]

Guys... I actually stopped this video early on and made the puzzle. Then attempted to solve the puzzle.... Before giving up and watching the rest of the video. 5 second later I learn it's impossible. 😂

[@Grozdor]

I wonder if I could make it for myself using cheap materials or something.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Absolutely! I just got some wire from Home Depot and made the main wire part. I didn't even need a wire cutter, because if you just bend it back and forth it'll break off.

[@Grozdor]

FLEB I type that comment when the video literally paused just before you show up that you made it yourself! I feel like I'm looking dumb right now lol. I might made it myself to troll my friends!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

You should make it to troll your friends. Just remember, those who are trolled tend to troll back...

[@Ganue512]

FLEB....im disappointed you didn't add your spoiler break music!!!! c'mon man that's your trademark!!!!

[@jordangroves371]

This frustrates me to an impossible degree

[@Silentsouls]

The puzzle on steam, its verry satifying, so far good puzzle game, It kept me going with, just one more puzzle ;)

[@FLEBpuzzles]

I'm glad you're enjoying it! :)

[@txblades1]

You are sort of a bad ass in your own special skill.

[@dragonwoodland4773]

great video!!!

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks!

[@dragonwoodland4773]

you're welcome!

[@ArlenBrackovic]

I would say that is the proof. Just like having 2 circle strings locked, if string is in continuous loop and other loop is attached one side true center and other around, its impossible. When its puzzle with wire, those 2 small loops which connect to wired body are useless.. you can just make them smaller and fully connect to the wire which go true them, and you will be again at the same shape as 2 circles locked together and other circle above which is also useless.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

It's a proof... but it's not a mathematical proof. There's a certain amount of rigor which isn't in the video. It's enough to convince you the puzzle may be impossible, but not enough to eliminate every single possibility.

[@16letterd1]

This feels very Knot Theory. You may wanna watch numberphile to see how they deal with this type of thing. Also, the book "things to make and do in the fourth dimension" explains this sort of thing very well too in parts.

[@FLEBpuzzles]

The second paper I talked about uses knot theory! Numberphile is great!

[@imnotdaredevil3714]

Well, there's always the last hope for one desperate enough- wirecutters :p

[@minecraftandmore2820]

I've been trying to do this for years and now I get it DUH

[@XxXThiccoModeXxX]

A puzzle is a puzzle. You can't say it's only a half.

[@elidunn8901]

Just pull it through the knot!

[@Aerotactics]

I still don't think it's impossible. I'll have to try that one out myself.

[@lokalnyork]

Wire cutters. There, solved like a boss.

[@thiseasathens]

one hour you do this and you do that, you hold the string with one hand then you pass it to the other hand but in the end you do nothing.

[@hoomanbean8416]

You can just untwist the puzzle and boom

FLEB buddy can you bend in any way Slightly a tad bit o told my buddy about I all ready knew how to do the puzzle he told me LMAO he knew I knew I how to To be a actor after high school man he played me good 😊 love your videos keep the a coming buddy

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thanks! I'm not sure I understand your comment. Do you mean bend the wire? You can bend the wire if you want to, but untying the wire is outside of the spirit of the puzzle.

[@Snowbound2643]

I always try taking it through both Holes

[@camerynkoen123]

I know how to solve it. CUT THE CIRCLE!!!😂😂😂 that's how I would do it😂

[@aodoesgames7024]

HOW TO SOLVE THIS! Scissors or Wire cutter

[@XxHeManWomenHaterxX]

Sensational

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Thank you! :)

[@sinom]

there are no followup video recommendations on this video for me O.o

[@RayLow92]

going to troll my friends with this one

[@FLEBpuzzles]

Let me know how it goes!

[@shoaldaddyjamie8475]

Im wayching it now and he just showed the yarn. I fugured it out . It can ne done pull one wire threw the loop until it twist the lopp inside its self then it will be sraight wire with one lopp at one end. Then the yarn can came out. Easy

[@DCRofoJR]

You can just cut the puzzle and take the ring out

[@NumbBloodHound0]

actually with the way you tied the dual string one ot is entirely possible, the one with the wire on the other hand I'm not certain