Hints and Answers to Partner B’s Problem
Hints
1. Most people try to weigh all eight balls at once.
2. How can you figure out which is lightest if you
only have three balls?
Answer
1. Weigh six balls (three on each side).
2. If they weigh the same, then the lighter ball must
be one of the two balls not weighed. Weigh the
remaining two balls to see which is lighter.
3. If the three balls from Step 1 are of different
weights, weigh two of the three balls that were
on the lighter side. If they weigh the same, the
ball that is left is the lighter ball. If one weighs
less, you have found the lighter ball.