Nine nickels and a traditional balance are sitting in front of you. All nickels have the same weight except for one counterfeit, which is slightly heavier than the others. What is the lowest maximum number of times you expect to use the balance to guarantee you've found the counterfeit nickel? Please explain the process you would take.

Hi,

I am using simple logic here dont know if this right.

if s=9 (no of nickels)
and n=1 (max no of times)

than answer is 8 times

cheers!
Som

The answer would be 2.

Preparations: Divide all 9 nickels to 3 sets, each one of them is 3.

Step 1: Take two sets and weigh them and try to found which one is more heavier. if you found one then you the sets which has heavier one.. else the 3 sets contain the heavier nickel.

Ste 2: Once you have the Set which includes heavier nickel. Once again you divide into 3 and each of will contain single unit of nickel. weigh 2 of them if you found than good else 2 nicke will be your counterfeit.