Brain Teasers
Secret Ingredient
Mustapha Scratche, owner of the "Sweaty Chef Kebab Shop" was just about to weigh out the ingredients of his world famous "Colon disinfecting mega grease injection" kebab.
He needed to separate a 20 kg block of the secret ingredient into 2 kg blocks, but could only find a 5 kg and 9 kg weight.
Using a traditional balance scale, how could he measure out the ingredients precisely and as simply as possible?
He needed to separate a 20 kg block of the secret ingredient into 2 kg blocks, but could only find a 5 kg and 9 kg weight.
Using a traditional balance scale, how could he measure out the ingredients precisely and as simply as possible?
Answer
Using the 9 kg weight he can measure 9 kg from the 20 kg block. The remaining block of ingredients now weighs 11 kg. He then measures 9 kg from this to leave a 2 kg block. Finally, he can use this 2 kg block to measure and weigh all the rest into 2 kg blocks.Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
Mmmm....Kebabs sound good, but I'm afraid to know what the secret ingredient is.
It is best not to ask
Another (slightly longer) way is to obtain a 9 Kg block; then using the 5Kg weight, leave 4Kg. Now split the 4Kg weight into 2 eqaul portions on the scale.
(Our local Kebab shop is purported to have a secret ingredient but they are still looking for the antidote).
(Our local Kebab shop is purported to have a secret ingredient but they are still looking for the antidote).
Antidotes for Kebabs, like salads, are for girls
But if they have to be whole blocks you forgot that the 9 kilogram block will be measured out into 4 2 kilogram blocks with 1 kilogram left over.
How about measure two 9kg blocks leaving 2kg left over, then use that to way the others. I'm always thinking!
Or, put the 5kg weight on one side, and the 9kg weight on the other side. Add a portion of ingredient to the side with the 5kg weight until it is balanced, then, take the weights off and split the 4kg until balanced. (similar but shorter than a previously mentioned method)
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