Re:Negative Base
by scrooched_moose on Thursday June 28, 2018 @05:05PM
(#17420483)
Your OP stated one is lighter, not one is different.
It's easier than the 12-coin one different puzzle, but introduces the ternary concept well enough to get you started on the harder problem (there are some other complications to it as well).
Weigh 2 coins. If the scales move you've found the lighter coin. If the scales balance, it's the third coin you didn't weigh.
Re:Negative Base
by emilfihlman on Thursday June 28, 2018 @06:05PM
(#17420869)
Ah I got the original (12 coins, one is lighter or heavier) mixed up with 3 coins (one is lighter).
ABC, one of them is different weight than the other two (either more or less)
Possible ways to weigh them:
In all possible ways to weight 3 coins, all have uncertainty which means you cannot deduce which is the odd one out.