Minimum Number of Weigths
A wholesale merchant came to me one day and posed this problem. Every day in his business he has to weigh amounts from one pound to one hundred and twenty-one pounds, to the nearest pound. To do this, what is the minimum number of weights he needs and how heavy should each weight be?
The minimum number of weights required is five and these should weight 1, 3, 9, 27 and 81
pounds.
[MODIFICATION]
Explanation As per “BhaiBhai” comment-
For 2 Kg –
On one pan put 3 kg and on the other one put 1 kg
Likewise for 5 kg –
9 kg on one pan and 1+3 kg on another pan
For 6 kg – 9 on one and 3 on another
for 7 kg – 1 and 9 on one and 3 on another
for 8 kg – 9 on one pan and 1 on another.
how will you weight 2, 5,6,7,8??
according to me ans should be 7……1,2,4,8,16,32 and 64
Hey Friend,
For 2 Kg on one pan put 3 kg and on the other one put 1 kg
Likewise for 5 kg , 9 kg on one pan and 1+3 kg on another pan
for 6 kg,9 on one and 3 on another
for 7 kg, 1 and 9 on one and 3 on another
for 8 kg , 9 on one pan and 1 on another.
Think before you comment!!
How to weigh 15,16.. ?
For 15 kg – Put 27 kg on one and 9 kg +1 kg on other
For 16 kg – Put 27 kg on one and 9 kg on other
Great! How did you formulate this?
I am unable to get the exact answer.Can any one tell me the way of doing it??
it is something like
for 121= it lies between 3^1-3^4 so we consider 1,3^1,3^2,3^3,3^4.
similarly for 250 we will consider numbers from 3^1-3-5 i.e(1,3,9,27,81,243)
question says ‘to the nearest pound’, so shouldn’t we have 0.5 pound weight too? that way if something weighs 2.25 pound we will be able to measure it as 2 pounds. otherwise it will be heavier than 2 and lighter than 3 pounds and we wont be able to tell the nearest pound.
Your Answer
More puzzles to try-
Decrypt the line to get into hard drive secrets puzzle
A person has uncovered a secret that was a mystery for ages. He transfers the data into his hard drive ...Read More »What color is the bus drivers hair?
You are driving a bus. At the first stop, 2 women get on. The second stop, 3 men get on ...Read More »Which word is the odd one out?
Which word is the odd one out: First Second Third Forth Fifth Sixth Seventh EighthRead More »Funny Cipher Riddle
Can you decipher the following common phrase? T M C A U O H S M W T ERead More »Runs day and night
It runs in and out of town all day and night. What is it?Read More »5 Letter Words puzzle, Can you determine the original words?
Below are thirteen 5 lettered, everyday words, each of which has had two of its letters removed. In total these ...Read More »Cube Puzzle
You have a normal six sided cube. I give you six different colors that you can paint each side of ...Read More »Leonardo’s Leaps (Stair Case Puzzle)
This is a classic interview puzzle asked in many interviews. Puzzle :Given N step stair, how many number of ways ...Read More »TV Rebus
What does this Rebus Picture mean?Read More »My name sounds like a bird , who am i?
My name sounds like a bird Whole body is like tongue of a lizard Am different colors And I well ...Read More »Born in fear
I am born in fear, raised in the truth, and I come to my own indeed. When comes a time ...Read More »NDA Exam 2013 – Find the missing Number?
Which number replaces the question mark?Read More »Touch me !!!
I do not stop working even you break me, I may be trapped when you touch me, Nothing will matter ...Read More »Doctor most annoyed
When is a doctor most annoyed?Read More »In The Stable
In a stable, there are men and horses. In all, there are 22 heads and 72 feet. How many men ...Read More »Eggs in a empty basket
How many eggs can you put in an empty basket?Read More »How many children does Mr. Smith have?
Mr. Smith has 4 daughters. Each of his daughters has a brother. How many children does Mr. Smith have?Read More »How was this possible?
An old lady left $33,333 to be divided equally among two fathers and two sons and each was to receive ...Read More »Boris and Natasha
Boris and Natasha live in different cities in a country with a corrupt postal service. Every box sent by mail ...Read More »How the man got busted puzzle
A man can make perfect counterfeit bills. They look exactly like real ones, they’re made of exactly the same materials, ...Read More »
