Test your skills of deduction with the February 2021 edition of Riddle Me This: Colored Weights
You have a balance scale and six weights. There are two red weights, two white weights, and two blue weights. In each pair of colored weights, one weight is slightly heavier than the other, but is otherwise identical. The three heavier weights all weigh the same and the three lighter weights all weigh the same.
What is the fewest number of times you need to use the balance scale in order to positively identify the heavier weight in each pair?
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I’m curious to see the “approved solution”. Unfortunately the “Click to reveal answer” button just appears to refresh this page, and the answer is still a secret.
8
3
Your solution was a random luckily balance of the 4 weights originally selected and weighed, and ONLY 2 weighings would be needed. AND this is most correct answer, BUT………….I would submit:
If the first weighing does not balance and left side goes down, then subsequently weighing the two white weights will tell which is heavier and which lighter; however one does not yet know whether the Red companion was the heavier or lighter weight of pair, because the white weight with either Red would make scale drop, therefore concluding the two weights on right side were lightest (both white & blue). As a result, a THIRD weighing would be required between the two Red weights to verify which was heavier. I WOULD SUBMIT THAT 3 WEIGHINGS (AS DESCRIBED) WOULD ALSO BE CORRECT.
Thank you for the puzzler!!