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Since the answer to last week's riddle is rather complex ... I thought I'd devote this issue to that.
There are three basic possiblities.
First possibility using the scale 3 times:
1-Separate the candies into 3 groups of 4 2-Put 1 group on left balance of scale and 1 group on right balance of scale. 3-If they weigh the same ... candy is in last group. 4-Take 2 candies from the bad group and put one on each side of scale. If they weigh the same ... take one of remaining two and weigh against a good one. If they weigh the same ... it's the candy you did not weigh. If they weigh different ... it's the one you put against the good candy. Same basic premise if they do not weigh the same.Second possibility using the scale 3 times:
1-Separate the candies into 3 groups of 4 2-Put 1 group on left balance of scale and 1 group on right balance of scale. 3-The left side is heavy and the right side is light. (this possibilty can be reversed). 4-Take 3 candies from the the light side and put them to the side. Take 3 candies from the heavy side and bring them over to the light side. Take 3 candies from the good batch and bring them to the heavy side. Weigh again. 5-If heavy is still heavy and light is still light ... then the candy is one of the two you did not move. Remove one and weigh it against a good one. If scale is still the same ... it's the the one you did not remove ... if scale balances it's the one you did remove.or ... after step 4:
5-Scale reverses and heavy side is now light and light side is now heavy. This means that the ones you moved are bad. Weigh two of them. If they equal ... it's the third. If they do not equal ... it's the heavy one.or ... after step 4:
5-The scale is now in balance. This means it's one of the three you removed from the light side. Weigh 2. If the balance ... it's the third. If they do not balance ... it's the light one.I suspect this may be a bit tough to understand. The blame lies squarely on my lack of ability to present the solution in a clear and concise manner. If any of you want this clarified ... I will have to do this by phone. Call me after Monday ... and have twelve pennies or paper clips on hand ... and I will step by step you through it.
Anon lads and lassies.