The Balance and the Twelve Balls
November 9th 2005 When I was passing one of the narrow alleys in Lijing, an old man beckoned to me to come nearer. When I sat down next to him he started wispering to me. He showed me twelve steel balls and a balance and gave me the following riddle: One of the twelve balls is different in weight than the others. How is it possible to find out which ball is different in weight and if it is heavier or lighter than
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