Problem Solving Skills for Mathcounts Competitions

Mathcounts => Mathcounts => : joycezhu June 24, 2011, 11:58:44 AM

: ~ BALANCE SCALE QUESTION - PLEASE HELP! ~
: joycezhu June 24, 2011, 11:58:44 AM
Please help with this problem- I thought the answer was 3, but the answer 2 was in the lecture.

There are 9 apparently identical balls, except that one is heavier than the other 8. What is the smallest number of balance scale weighings required to ensure identification of the “odd” ball? (Mathcounts)
: Re: ~ BALANCE SCALE QUESTION - PLEASE HELP! ~
: yongcheng3315 June 24, 2011, 01:10:34 PM
Please help with this problem- I thought the answer was 3, but the answer 2 was in the lecture.

There are 9 apparently identical balls, except that one is heavier than the other 8. What is the smallest number of balance scale weighings required to ensure identification of the “odd” ball? (Mathcounts)
Divided them the way described in the lecture and do again. I am sure you will get it.