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Can you survive the creation of the universe by solving this riddle? - James Tanton

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

It’s moments after the Big Bang and you’re still reeling. You’re a particle of matter, amidst a chaotic stew of forces, fusion, and annihilation. If you’re lucky and avoid being destroyed by antimatter, you’ll be the seed of a future galaxy. Can you ensure that you’re the last particle standing? James Tanton shows how.

Six particles of matter and six particles of antimatter arrange themselves in a ring to provide precisely three safe places to stand. If three matter particles insert themselves in those three spots and the game is played, will all three of those particles of matters survive?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator James Tanton
  • Director Igor Coric, Artrake Studio
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Cem Misirlioglu
  • Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal

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