The grid reminds me a bit of [`<><`](https://esolangs.org/wiki/Fish), an esoteric programming language where the program pointer moves around on a two-dimensional grid of characters. In `<><`, the two slashes `/` and `\` are reflectors. Think of the program flow 'bouncing' off of them like hitting a wall. Assuming the same initial condition as `<><` (starting in the upper-left corner headed right), and that none of the other characters modify the program flow, we get a flow like: ![enter image description here][1] The sequence of 'instructions' we pass through is: > `9` `x` `3` `x^2` `+` `3` `x` `1/6` `+` `22` `sqrt` `$` `euro` I assume that the different color of the `9` is probably just to indicate that it is the starting point, and that the `>` indicates that the flow exits to the right. Interpreting `x` as `times`, the first ten characters look like a mathematical expression written as a series of key to enter into a calculator: $$ 9 \xrightarrow{\times 3} 27 \xrightarrow{x^2} 729 \xrightarrow{+3} 732 \xrightarrow{\times\frac{1}{6}} 122 \xrightarrow{+22} 144 \xrightarrow{\sqrt{x}} 12 $$ The two currency symbols, however, are still a mystery. Presumably they indicate some sort of exchange rate conversion. However, exchange rates are changing constantly and we lack a fixed time to determine a fixed exchange rate. Also, we need (according to Hanko) a five-digit number. Converting from `USD` to `EUR` is not a big change, so the integer part will remain two digits; and since both currencies are divided into exactly 100 subunits, that leaves us only two further decimal places, four total out of five. Personally, If I were you, and believed that: > your life may depend on your completion of this problem I'd probably just stop working there. [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/83wpS.png