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Answer the following question based on the information given below.
A competition requires Rahul to identify the odd weight in a group of weights, given that all the remaining weights are equal. He is given a regular pan balance to complete this task.
 
Q.If Rahul is initially given 15 weights, how many iterations will 1 Marks he need to definitely pin-point the odd weight and whether it heavier or lighter than the other wieghts?
  • a)
    3
  • b)
    4
  • c)
    5
  • d)
    6
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Answer the following question based on the information given below.A c...
Here, it is not known whether the odd weight is heavier or lighter.
To begin, Rahul needs to divide the 15 weights into three lots of five weights each.
Iterations 1 and 2: Compare Lot 1 and Lot 2.
If these lots are equal, the odd weight is definitely in the third lot. In that case, compare either Lot 1 or 2 with Lot 3 to identify whether the odd weight is heavier or lighter.
If these lots are unequal, the odd weight is in one of Lot 1 or 2 and the other is equal to Lot 3. So, compare either Lot 1 with Lot 3. If they are equal, the odd weight is in Lot 2, else it is in Lot 1. Also, whether the odd weight is heavier or lighter can be identified at this stage.
Irrespective of the outcome, a Lot of 5 weights (that has the odd weight) can be identified at the end of iteration 2.
Iterations 3 and 4: Divide the Lot of 5 weights into 2, 2 and 1 and compare the two groups of 2 weights each.
If they are equal, the odd weight is the single weight that is left out. In this case, Rahul can pin point the odd weight at the end of the third iteration.
If they are unequal and knowing whether the odd weight is lighter or heavier, Rahul can know which group has the odd weight.
Comparing just these two weights in the next iteration helps Rahul find the odd weight.
So, Rahul can definitely pin point the odd weight at the end of the fourth iteration.
Hence, option 2.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Answer the following question based on the information given below.A c...
Understanding the Problem:
Rahul is given a group of weights, out of which one weight is different from the others in terms of its weight. He needs to identify this odd weight and determine whether it is heavier or lighter than the other weights. Rahul has a regular pan balance to help him in this task. We need to determine the number of iterations Rahul will need to definitely pinpoint the odd weight and determine its weight relative to the others.

Approach:
To solve this problem, we can use a binary search-like approach, where we divide the group of weights into two equal halves and compare their weights on the pan balance. Based on the results of this comparison, we can further divide the group into two halves and continue the process until we identify the odd weight.

Explanation:
Let's assume Rahul is initially given 15 weights numbered from 1 to 15. We can divide these weights into two groups of 7 and 8 weights each. We compare the weights of these two groups on the pan balance.

Case 1: If the weights are balanced, it means that the odd weight is not present in either of these two groups. In this case, we can eliminate these two groups and focus on the remaining 7 weights (if the odd weight is lighter) or 8 weights (if the odd weight is heavier).

Case 2: If the weights are unbalanced, it means that the odd weight is present in one of these two groups. In this case, we can eliminate the balanced group and focus on the remaining 7 weights (if the odd weight is lighter) or 8 weights (if the odd weight is heavier).

Now, we repeat the process with the remaining weights, dividing them into two equal halves and comparing their weights on the pan balance. We continue this process until we are left with only one weight, which will be the odd weight.

Iteration 1: 15 weights -> 7 weights + 8 weights
Iteration 2: 7 weights -> 3 weights + 4 weights
Iteration 3: 4 weights -> 2 weights + 2 weights
Iteration 4: 2 weights -> 1 weight + 1 weight

Hence, Rahul will need 4 iterations to definitely pinpoint the odd weight and determine whether it is heavier or lighter than the other weights.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' (4 iterations).
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Answer the following question based on the information given below.A competition requires Rahul to identify the odd weight in a group of weights, given that all the remaining weights are equal. He is given a regular pan balance to complete this task.Q.If Rahul is initially given 15 weights, how many iterations will 1 Marks he need to definitely pin-point the odd weight and whether it heavier or lighter than the other wieghts?a)3b)4c)5d)6Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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