I was given a logic question where you have 5 balls. One of the balls is heavier than the others. What's the fewest number of times you have to compare weights to figure out which ball is heavier.

Question

deepak · Accepted Answer

three
pick any two and compare then with any other two
if equal weight then the fifth ball is the one
else take the heavier lot and compare the two ball
if equal weight then the fifth ball is the one
otherwise comparethe heavier ball with the fifth ball

Anonymous · Answer

2. Pick 2 compare them if(heaviest != there) continue to the next batch. If(heaviest not there). The remaining one is the heaviest.

Anonymous · Answer

I believe the answer was e. I think I decided on three.

Anonymous · Answer

If "the fewest number" is the minimum, you have to compare 4 time:
ie: 1vs2  ball 1 compare ball 2
1vs2, 2vs3, 3vs4, 4vs5

This solution is if you have to compare ball 1 by 1. Otherwise, they may have other solutions...

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