The Code (British TV programme)

The Code is a mathematics-based documentary television programme for BBC Two presented by Marcus du Sautoy, beginning on 27 July 2011 and ended on 10 August 2011. Each episode covers a different branch of mathematics. As well as being a documentary, The Code is also included a series of online challenges forming a treasure hunt, with clues to finding the treasure being included in the episodes, online games and other challenges.[1]

The Code
GenreMathematics documentary
Directed byStephen Cooter
Michael Lachmann
Presented byMarcus du Sautoy
ComposerCarl Harms
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producerSacha Baveystock
ProducersStephen Cooter
Peter Leonard
Running time60 minutes
Production companyThe Open University for BBC
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release27 July (2011-07-27) –
10 August 2011 (2011-08-10)

Episodes
No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Numbers"27 July 2011 (2011-07-27)
Du Sautoy reveals a hidden numerical code that underpins all nature. A code that has the power to explain everything, from the numbers and shapes we see all around us to the rules that govern our own lives. In this first episode, he reveals how significant numbers appear throughout the natural world. They're part of a hidden mathematical world that contains the rules that govern everything on our planet and beyond.[2]
2"Shapes"3 August 2011 (2011-08-03)
Du Sautoy searches for natural patterns, beginning with the hexagonal columns of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway, and moving on to everything from honeycombs to soap bubbles, claiming such formations are far from random but part of a hidden code that governs the world. He also applies the theory to mountains, clouds and trees, and reveals how it could have helped in the creation of movie animations – with a visit to the Pixar studios – and abstract paintings.
3"Prediction"10 August 2011 (2011-08-10)
Du Sautoy looks at what happens next. He looks at the ability to predict a lunar eclipse, overturns the lemming's suicidal reputation, avoids being crushed to death, reveals how to catch a serial killer and discovers that the answer to life, the universe and everything isn't 42 after all – it's 1.15.

Treasure hunt

The treasure hunt is a series of online mathematical challenges. The BBC planned to offer the challenges to 1000 participants selected from among people who applied to participate via Twitter or email.[3] There are three stages to the treasure hunt: The Codebreakers, the Ultimate Challenge, and the Finale.[2]

Stage 1: The Codebreakers

The first puzzles are "The Codebreakers". These consist of three wheels, one relating to each episode. Each Codebreaker has six different questions and challenges relating to it, the answers to which surround the wheel. Answers to these questions can be found by watching the episode for clues, completing a flash game, solving a puzzle on the programme's blog or reaching a milestone in a mass community challenge, which involves trying to find examples of all the prime numbers between 2 and 2011 in the real world. Once a clue is found, the challenger can enter it into the Codebreaker by moving the correct "hand" around the Codebreaker. Each time a hand is moved, the password given changes. Each possible outcome of the Codebreaker produces a different password to the ultimate challenge. Entering the correct solutions into each of the three Codebreakers will result in the challenger getting the three correct passwords. Once these are entered, the Ultimate Challenge is accessible.[2][4]

Stage 2: The Ultimate Challenge

The Ultimate Challenge was made accessible after all three episodes had been broadcast, and could only be accessed if the challenger entered all three passwords correctly. Once it was accessed, the first three eligible people to solve the Ultimate Challenge went through to the Finale.[2]

Stage 3: The Finale

The Finale took place at Bletchley Park during the weekend of 10 September 2011. The prize, a specially commissioned mathematical sculpture of the platonic solids , was won by Pete Ryland.[2][5][6]

References
  1. "The Code: Frequently Asked Questions". BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  2. "The Code: Numbers". BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  3. Nordgren, Kris (29 June 2011), "Get Clued in to The BBC Code Challenge", Wired
  4. "How to Play The Code". BBC. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  5. du Sautoy, Marcus (27 July 2011). "Nature's hidden prime number code". BBC. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  6. Nordgren, Kris (17 November 2011). "Cracking the BBC's Code at Bletchley Park". Wired. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
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