2009/9/8 lukhman_khan <[email protected]> > > > Wrong. 9. If you're interested, I can send you the solution. > > > Interesting, send it. >
Divide into 3 groups, a, b, c. Suffix with 1, 2, 3. First Weighing a1, a2, a3 - assume pan goes up b1, b2, b3 - assume pan goes down Not addressing the scenario of the pans staying equal since then the solution can be found out quite easily. Second Weighing a1, a2, b1 with c1, c2, c3 - pans are level equal a3 is lighter or one of b2, b3 is heavier a1, a2, b1 with c1, c2, c3 - pans not level (LHS pan goes down) b1 is heavier a1, a2, b1 with c - pans not level (LHS pan goes up) one of a1, a2 is lighter The next step is obvious to find both the defective one and whether it is lighter or heavier than the others. Kiran
