GATE Exam  >  GATE Questions  >  Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are ... Start Learning for Free
Q. 6 - Q. 10 carry two marks each.
Q.
There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightly
heavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum number
of weighings required to identify the heavier bag is
  • a)
    2
  • b)
    3
  • c)
    4
  • d)
    8
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice lookin...
This is a good one and needs extension of our thought process.
Most general mistake done here is dividing all the eight bags in to 2 lots of four each, weighing them by placing each lot on one of the two sides of the balance. This makes us to identify the lot with heavier bag. Now we came down to 4 bags from 8 bags. Repeat this process for two lots, each lot containing two bags. Then we will come down to two bags and one more iteration of the process gives us the final result of finding the odd bag out. This process involves three stages of weighing which is not the minimum possible one.
Right approach:
Keep two bags aside and consider two lots of three bags each and weigh them. Go to Case-I in case of unequal-weighing lest go to case-II.

Case-I
Unequal weighing hints that the odd one is in a set of three bags. Then keeping one bag aside, and weighing the rest two, with one on each side, reveals the odd-bag. 
Altogether, this process involves two stages of weighing.

Case-II
Equal weighing of three-three bags on each side hints that the odd one is in the set of two bags kept aside. Then proceed with weighing of those two bags and get the odd-bag out. 
Altogether, this process involves two stages of weighing only.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice lookin...
Let 8 bags be A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H.
Step 1 :- Take A,B&C on one weighing plate and D,E&F on another plate.
Step 2 :- There are 3 cases in this situation :-
Case (a) :- If A,B&C carrying plate goes down weigh A&D and B&E. If A&D carrying plate goes down then A is the heaviest bag, if B&E carrying plate goes down then B is the heaviest bag & if both the plates are at equal level then C is the heaviest bag.
Case (b) :- If D,E&F carrying plate goes down weigh D&A and E&B. If D&A carrying plate goes down then D is the heaviest bag, if E&B carrying plate goes down then E is the heaviest bag & if both the plates are at equal level then F is the heaviest bag.
Case (c) :- If A,B&C and D,E&F carrying plates are at equal level then weigh G and H. If G carrying plate goes down then G is the heaviest bag and if H carrying plate goes down then H is the heaviest bag.

Hope this will help you! :)
Free Test
Community Answer
Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice lookin...
A
Explore Courses for GATE exam

Similar GATE Doubts

Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for GATE 2024 is part of GATE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GATE exam syllabus. Information about Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GATE 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GATE. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GATE Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Q. 6- Q. 10 carry two marks each.Q.There are eight bags of rice looking alike, seven of which have equal weight and one is slightlyheavier. The weighing balance is of unlimited capacity. Using this balance, the minimum numberof weighings required to identify the heavier bag isa)2b)3c)4d)8Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GATE tests.
Explore Courses for GATE exam
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev