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Will.Octagon.Gibson
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Seven genuine coins have the same weight. Two counterfeit coins also have the same weight. A counterfeit coin is heavier than a genuine coin. Identify the fake coins using a standard balance at most four times.


Clarification: The term “standard balance” refers to a two-pan balance which is used to determine if the object(s) resting on one pan are heavier or lighter or of the same weight as object(s) on the other pan.


This puzzle comes from a 1980 Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad.

Seven genuine coins have the same weight. Two counterfeit coins also have the same weight. A counterfeit coin is heavier than a genuine coin. Identify the fake coins using a standard balance at most four times.


This puzzle comes from a 1980 Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad.

Seven genuine coins have the same weight. Two counterfeit coins also have the same weight. A counterfeit coin is heavier than a genuine coin. Identify the fake coins using a standard balance at most four times.


Clarification: The term “standard balance” refers to a two-pan balance which is used to determine if the object(s) resting on one pan are heavier or lighter or of the same weight as object(s) on the other pan.


This puzzle comes from a 1980 Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad.

Source Link
Will.Octagon.Gibson
  • 21.4k
  • 3
  • 50
  • 204

Seven genuine and two fake coins

Seven genuine coins have the same weight. Two counterfeit coins also have the same weight. A counterfeit coin is heavier than a genuine coin. Identify the fake coins using a standard balance at most four times.


This puzzle comes from a 1980 Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad.