Given a balance scale that is sure to break after X weighings, find an equation for the largest number of coins N, from which you can determine a fake coin that has the wrong weight if

A: You know whether the fake is lighter or heavier

B: You do not know whether the fake is lighter or heavier

(Assume only one of the N coins is fake)

(In reply to re(3): Weighty Solution (maybe!) by Chris)

Oops, nevemind the last line of my last post, as I found the 39 coin problem. This does, however, put a damper on my solution, for now.

Posted by Chris on 2003-05-15 06:53:29