You have 4 weights weighing 2,3,5 and 7 pounds. The problem is none of them are marked. What is the fewest number of weighings you need using a balance scale figure out which weights are which?

(In reply to a computerized start by Charlie)

Actually, since we don't need to predefine our weighings, and subsequent weighings can depend on the outcome of previous ones, we do not need to select beforehand a set of rows to use, with a unique signature.

Posted by Charlie on 2004-07-25 12:18:58