I have two sets of 8 coins. In one set the coins weigh 30g each, in the other set the coins weigh 31g each.
Unfortunately they got mixed together in one big pile of 16 coins. I want to identify one coin. It can be from either set.
(Easy) Using a balance scale, identify a coin in four weighings.
(Hard) Identify a coin in just three weighings.
Can you clarify the problem, Brian?
I understood the problem to be determining whether one specific coin (call it #1) is heavy or light.
But Broll has solved a different problem, namely finding one coin (not picked in advance) that is known to be either heavy or light.
The easy solution to my problem:
Weighing 1) Weigh 1 vs 2. If they are different then we are done. Otherwise, they are known to be equal.
Weighing 2) Weigh 1-2 vs 3-4. If they are different then we are done, because 1 (and 2) are determined. Otherwise, all 4 are known to be equal.
Weighing 3) Weigh 1-4 vs 5-8. If they are different then we are done, because 1-4 are determined. Otherwise, all 8 are known to be equal.
Weighing 4) Weigh 1-8 vs 9-16. They must be unequal. All 16 coins are now determined.
Of course, this process often terminates after 1 weighing (with probability 8/15).
Edited on December 31, 2015, 12:19 pm
What's the problem? (and a spoiler)
