YouTube06 Feb 2022
30m

Solving Wordle using information theory

Podcast cover

3Blue1Brown

This podcast delves into how information theory, particularly the concept of entropy, can enhance your Wordle gameplay. The host explains the development of a Wordle-solving algorithm that began with the assumption of equal probabilities for all words. However, the algorithm was refined by adding word frequency data, which significantly boosted its accuracy. A key insight discussed is how entropy can evaluate both the expected information gained from a guess and the uncertainty of the remaining possible answers. This led to a notable improvement in the algorithm's performance, reducing the average number of guesses from 4.124 to 3.6 per game. This example vividly illustrates the practical impact of information theory in real-world applications.

Outlines

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Open full episode in Podwise