Can You Solve This Viral Math Puzzle?

This viral math puzzle has been making the rounds on social media, stumping people of all ages. It’s a simple-looking problem, but it requires some careful thinking to crack. Let’s dive in and see if you can figure it out!

The Puzzle

Imagine you have 10 marbles. You know that 1 of these marbles is slightly heavier than the rest. Your goal is to figure out which marble is the heavier one. You can only use a balance scale, and you’re allowed to weigh the marbles just **three** times.

The Solution

Here’s how to solve this puzzle:

1. Weighing 1: Divide the marbles into three groups: 3 marbles, 3 marbles, and 4 marbles. Place the groups of 3 on the balance scale.
2. Possible Outcomes of Weighing 1:
   • If the scale balances: The heavier marble is among the group of 4. Proceed to Weighing 2 with these 4 marbles.
   • If one side is heavier: The heavier marble is among the group of 3 on the heavier side. Proceed to Weighing 2 with these 3 marbles.
3. Weighing 2: From the heavier group (either 3 or 4 marbles), place 1 marble on each side of the scale, leaving the rest off.
4. Possible Outcomes of Weighing 2:
   • If the scale balances: The heavier marble is the one you didn’t put on the scale.
   • If one side is heavier: The heavier marble is the one on the heavier side of the scale.
5. Weighing 3: You’ve now isolated the heavier marble. You don’t need to weigh it again, as you’ve already determined it’s the heavier one.

Why This Works

This puzzle demonstrates the power of systematic elimination. By strategically dividing the marbles and using the balance scale, you can quickly narrow down the possibilities until you’re left with the single heavier marble.

Try It Yourself!

Grab some coins or other objects to represent the marbles. See if you can solve the puzzle using the steps outlined above. It’s a fun and engaging way to practice your problem-solving skills!