Good scales have equal arms (arms are the the things that connect the actual scale to the center), but in one grocery stall, the arms of the scale are not equal. Pending replacement, the manager wonders if he can give correct weight this way:

"I'll balance a 1-pound weight on the left with sugar on the right, and then I'll balance the 1-pound weight on the right with some more sugar on the left, and the sugar will add up to exactly 2 pounds."

Will it? What are other (assuming that the above works, it may not) ways of weighing 2 pounds of sugar, if you also have a lead shot with you to help weigh? (Note and hint: The lead shot has an unknown weight. You can make it whatever weight you choose. Remember, the arms aren't equal, and you need 2 pounds of sugar.)

(In reply to No Subject by Victor Zapana)

"You have only ONE (I repeat ONE) lead shot. However, it could be of any weight. (Remember, you have other things at your disposal as well)"

Since we are IN a grocery store, then we have cans of soup.  Is it permitted in the rules to use 2 cans of soup, known to be equal, and thus attempt a callibration??

Posted by Larry on 2004-05-23 18:41:14