There are 10bags each containing 10 weights,all of which look identical.In 9 of the bags each weight is 16 ounces,but in one of the bags the weights are actually 17 ounces each.How is it possible in a single weighing on an accurate weighing scale to determine which bag contains the 17-ounce weights?

If you open the spoiler you lose.

 

Putting on the weighing scale all together one weight of the first bag + 2 weights of the 2nd bag + 3 weights of the 3rd bag, etc,...+10 weights of the 10th bag.

 

Edited May 27, 201312 yr by michel123456

Place bag #1 onto the scales and if the scale reads 17 oz, you're done.

 

If you weren't lucky enough to get the 17 oz on the first try then use the same methodology a dieter uses when weighing portions by placing a small amount on the scale, never removing the food item but repeatedly adding to the amount on the scale until the desired weight is reached, thereby one continous weighing.

 

To apply this principle to find the 17oz weight try the following:

If the scale reads 16 oz, on bag #1, do not remove bag #1 but place Bag # 2 and the scales will read 32 oz if it's a 16 oz bag or 33 oz if it's the 17 oz bag.

Repeat this process, never removing any of the previous bags, realizing each new bag will increase the weight by an additional 16 oz unless the newly added bag is the 17oz.. bag. In doing so you have one continously increasing weight until the 17 oz bag is found.

 

I imagined it could be argued that this technique would be considered to be multiple weighings but I would think by never removing the bags previously added it could count as one weighing.

hey how do you define single

weighing?

hey how do you define single

weighing?

You get to read one number off the scale.

I agree

I agree

You agree with what?

 

You agree with what?

Actually i was with Delta1212 with his definition of single weighing.But I agree with your answer too.

Edited May 29, 201312 yr by daniton

So for those who don't want to lose the spoiler says:

 

Putting on the weighing scale all together one weight of the first bag +
2 weights of the 2nd bag + 3 weights of the 3rd bag, etc,...+10 weights
of the 10th bag.