i thing the answer is
. v3 B% q. \, x! O+ cstart with 4 on each side of the scale,this will have two possible outcome, same or diff.
+ K9 y% g1 y! W) K5.39.217.76If the same then 4 that left over contain the odd ball. put 1 of the 4 to each side, two outcome, same or different again. Replace 1 from the remaining, if the same then left over is the odd or if different the replacement is the odd one. I didn't time myself but I think I take less than 30 minutes. There are two more possible out come but still need three weighing but I think I am running out of space. |