Here's a little mind teaser to start out your Wednesday.
The problem is quite simple. You are given 8 identical-looking balls, one of which is heavier than the other 7 (all of which weigh the same). Using an old-fashioned mechanical set of scales you must identify the heavier ball using the scale as few times as possible. The scale is constructed using two bowls and an arm enabling the bowls to either balance or have one bowl rising while the other (and heavier bowl) falling. You can't just add one ball at a time thinking its one weighing, however, you may put any number of balls in each bowl... All you need to solve the puzzle is to use a bit of common sense.
So, how many weighings does it take to find the heavier ball?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
Feel free to give your answer and method in the comments if it strikes your fancy. Or just ponder this one all day. Consider this just a little brain food... our Wednesday present to you! If curiosity gets the best of you and you simply must know the answer you can look it up online (just google: the 8 ball problem) or you can wait til the end of the day, when we'll post the answer!
Our only request is that if you do cheat and look up the solution, you don't pretend you figured it out and put in the comments. Because that'll ruin it for everyone else, and we don't like spoil sports here.
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3 comments:
so, here's what I think you do:
Split the balls up into 3, 3 and 2. Weigh the group of 3 against 3. Either they will be equal, or one will outweigh the other. If they are equal, you measure the two remianing, one on each side, and see which it the heavier of the two. If, however, One group of three is heavier than the other group of three, you need to measure those. What you do if you take two of the three and measure them against each other. If they are equal, than the one removed is the heaviest. If one is heavier, then you have your answer!!!
So, in any scenario, the max number of wieghings is two!! This is brought to you by coffee, what makes me think, and OCD, what makes me not stop thinking about these stupid things... Thanks Anne!
one time. You put four balls on each side. Whichever side is heaviest has the heavier ball.
You then take those four balls and thrown them at your significant other. The one that hurts the most is the heaviest.
Teaser solved successfully. Way to go Renee.
And bonus points to kgwhit for style.
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