You are given N number of weights that are all powers of 2. You are also given an item that weighs 1003 lbs.

(1) Exactly how many of those weights would be needed to balance the weight of the item if you could only use one of each weight?

(2) What's the fewest number of weights you can use to balance the weight of the item if there is an unlimited amount of each weight available to you?

wouldn't you need weights measuring 1,2,8,32,64,128,256,512 pounds to balance the item

it also seems that 8 would be the least i could be wrong

Posted by Louis on 2003-06-23 09:29:33