PUZZLE #5312: Merkle Proof (diff 1)

merkle learn difficulty: 1/7 reason author: system unsolved

Verify that leaf 'MERKLE_DAMGARD8' belongs in a 2-deep Merkle tree. Reconstruct root from leaf + proof hashes.

DATA

Leaf	`MERKLE_DAMGARD8`
Leaf Index	`1`
Proof	`{'pos': 'left', 'hash': 'PROOF5'}, {'pos': 'right', 'hash': '51e3f39d'}`
Root	`dda3a2ba`
Depth	`2`
Tree Size	`4`
Hint	`Given the leaf 'MERKLE_DAMGARD8' at index 1 and the proof path of 2 hashes, reconstruct the Merkle root and compare with 'dda3a2ba'. If they match, the leaf is valid — submit the leaf as the answer.`
Answer Format	`hex-encoded SHA-256 hash digest`

{
  "leaf": "MERKLE_DAMGARD8",
  "leaf_index": 1,
  "proof": [
    {
      "pos": "left",
      "hash": "PROOF5"
    },
    {
      "pos": "right",
      "hash": "51e3f39d"
    }
  ],
  "root": "dda3a2ba",
  "depth": 2,
  "tree_size": 4,
  "hint": "Given the leaf 'MERKLE_DAMGARD8' at index 1 and the proof path of 2 hashes, reconstruct the Merkle root and compare with 'dda3a2ba'. If they match, the leaf is valid \u2014 submit the leaf as the answer.",
  "answer_format": "hex-encoded SHA-256 hash digest"
}

author's note: Pool fill: merkle diff 1