You have 20 pounds of flour that must be distributed into 10 sacks of 2 pounds each.

At your disposal is a scale, and two weights: a 5 pound one and a 9 pound one.

How can you complete this job in only 9 weighings?

(In reply to Solution by Dan)

First use your 9lb weight to take 9lbs out of the bag (leaving you with 11)

Then use your 9lb weight to take another 9lbs out of the bag (leaving you with 2lbs).

Take your 2lb bag and put it on one side of the scale and measure out the flour into the other 9 bags.

Posted by bill on 2005-06-13 13:01:00