i thing the answer is
) G; g9 N3 o2 D- }/ o5 d# tstart with 4 on each side of the scale,this will have two possible outcome, same or diff.
7 U0 Q( D9 f6 K( L; _. Q( _tvb now,tvbnow,bttvbIf the same then 4 that left over contain the odd ball. put 1 of the 4 to each side, two outcome, same or different again. Replace 1 from the remaining, if the same then left over is the odd or if different the replacement is the odd one. I didn't time myself but I think I take less than 30 minutes. There are two more possible out come but still need three weighing but I think I am running out of space. |