Weighings for the odd bean
You have beans that all weigh the same except one, which is either slightly heavier or slightly lighter (you don't know which). Using only a balance scale, what is the minimum number of weighings that guarantees identifying the odd bean?
Show hints (2)+
- Each weighing has outcomes, so weighings give distinguishable results.
- For an odd item of unknown direction, weighings resolve up to items. Find the smallest with that .
Answer
Reveal answer →Final answer
5
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Asked at: Jane Street, Optiver