Today’s Question Here's a weighty problem - Billy got a job in a deep sea fishing supply shop. They have 10 bins with lead weights of various shapes. The weights in 9 of the bins all weigh exactly 1 pound (16 oz.). The weights in the remaining bin all weigh exactly 17 ounces. Bill's new boss gives him a challenge. Using a single scale that weighs in pounds and ounces (up to 99lb. 15 oz.), tell which bin has the 17 ounce weights - in only one weighing. (You can use as many weights as you want.) (Hint the solution is elegant, logical and requires no algebra.)

Reveal Answer Answer - As we noted, the solution is rather elegant and requires no algebra. The bin you are looking for has the 17 ounce weights (one ounce more than a pound) all other weights are exactly 1 pound. So....take 1 from bin 1; two from bin 2, etc., etc. When you place it all on the scale, you read the number of ounces and that's the odd bin. (Example: If it's bin 2, the scale reads 55 pounds 2 ounces.....if bin 4, it's 55 lbs. 4 oz.)

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