Question

That’s a Meanie Genie. On an archeological dig near the highlands of Tibet, Alley discovered an ancient oil lamp. Just for laughs she rubbed the lamp. She quickly stopped laughing when a huge puff of magenta smoke spouted from the lamp and an ornery genie Murray appeared. Murray gave her two balance scales and nine identical stones as per her three wishes. Alley may use each of the scales exactly once. Choose a possible way for Alley to select the slightly heavier stone containing Ramanujan from among the nine identical-looking stones.

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Arrange the stones into 3groups of 3and place one group on one side of the first balance scale and another group on the other side.

If both sides weigh the same, then she knows that the (heavier) jewel must be in the third group of three. However, if one side is heavier than the other, then she knows that the jewel is one of the three that weighed more. In either case, after only one weighing, Alley is able to identify a group of only three stones among which is the Rama Nujan.

Then take 2 of the 3 stones and place one on each side of the second scale. If one weighs more than the other, then she knows that this stone is the one containing the jewel. If they both weigh the same, then she knows that the third stone must contain the jewel.