You are given 9 stones which look and feel identical. One of them contains a valuable gem worth $250,000 and is actually slightly heavier than the other 8(but not enough to detect by lifting by hand) if you identify the gemstone it is yours to keep. You have a balance scale which you can use exactly 2 times. Once you have used the scale twice you never get another opportunity. How can you be certain to find the stone that contains the gem? If you guess at any point you lose your chance to win the gemstone.

College Algebra
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168383
Author:Jay Abramson
Publisher:Jay Abramson
Chapter7: Systems Of Equations And Inequalities
Section7.2: Systems Of Linear Equations: Three Variables
Problem 65SE: The top three countries in oil consumption in a certain year are as follows: the United States,...
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You are given 9 stones which look and feel identical. One of them contains a valuable gem worth $250,000 and is actually slightly heavier than the other 8(but not enough to detect by lifting by hand) if you identify the gemstone it is yours to keep. You have a balance scale which you can use exactly 2 times. Once you have used the scale twice you never get another opportunity. How can you be certain to find the stone that contains the gem? If you guess at any point you lose your chance to win the gemstone.
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