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Can you solve the buried treasure riddle? - Daniel Griller

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  • 7,455 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

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After a massive storm tears through the Hex Archipelago, you find five grizzled survivors in the water. As an act of gratitude for saving them, they reveal a secret – the island they were just on holds some buried treasure. But when the sailors try to describe the island, something seems off. Can you find the booty despite their strange instructions? Daniel Griller shows how.


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Daniel Griller
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Patrick Smith
  • Animator Patrick Smith
  • Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox, Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
This riddle is an adaptation of “Helen on the island” and appears in its original form in the book Elastic Numbers: 108 Puzzles for the Serious Problem Solver by the educator. The problems in the collection require minimal technical knowledge but vary enormously in difficulty. It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a challenge!

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Daniel Griller
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Patrick Smith
  • Animator Patrick Smith
  • Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox, Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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