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There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightly heavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum number of weighings required to identify the heavier bag is

1. $2$
2. $3$
3. $4$
4. $8$

edited | 3k views
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Simplest way to understand this question-

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minimum number of weighing required

what does it mean

Answer is $a)$ i.e 2

Divide in to $3-3-2$ and then take $3-3$ pair and then if they are equal then weigh the remaining $1-1$.

if out of $3-3$ one is heavier then take the heavier group and divide it $1-1-1$ take any two of these group and weigh again to get the heavier.
by Junior (833 points)
edited
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Can you explain the last line. According to me, even then we will have a total of 3 weighings.. How are you getting 2 for the worst case ?
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I am also getting 3 weighing.
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If 3 and 3 balances -> compare the other 2 and pick the larger one. If they don't balance, pick the heavier stack of 3 items. Weigh any two of them. If both are equal then the one left is the heavier one else pick the heavier one by observing the balance.
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thankyou @krish  for clearing the doubt!

Can you please tell how to prepare for aptitude section because I am struggling in it.

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amazing explanation piyush kapoor
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What about the case 3 - 2 ???

remember in this types of question we always consider the worst case  in minimum terms

as we have 8 bags total so just divide it into equal parts

## (3rd  partition ) 1 bag and 1 bag then weigh balance(so in the last anyone out of these two will heavier bag  )

by Active (3.3k points)
1. Take 3 bags and compare it with another 3 bags, if they are equal, then take remaining two bags and compare. Total wieghtings = 2.

2. If in step one, if 3 bags are not equal to another three bags. Then take the heavier 3 bag group and pick any 2 bags and compare , if they are same, then 3rd bag is heavy bag.If not, the we will get heavy bag anyway.

So, in either case only 2 wieghtings is required. Hence , Answer is A.
by Active (2.4k points)

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