The 12-item balance scale puzzle is very familiar. The object is to find the lone non-standard item (if one exists) out of a group of 12 seemingly identical items, using a balance scale and a maximum of three weighings. Did you know that it is possible to accomplish the same outcome given a set of 13 seemingly identical items? I've scoured the web for a discussion of this problem/solution and have not found one. Am I the only one that has solved this problem?
BTW: If you allow four (4) weighings on a balance scale, how many seemingly identical items can you analyze and be assured of finding the lone non-standard item within the group?
If there is sufficient interest, I will publish the answers in a future post.