You are given 9 stones which look and feel identical. One of them contains a valuable gem worth $250,000 and is actually slightly heavier than the other 8(but not enough to detect by lifting by hand) if you identify the gemstone it is yours to keep. You have a balance scale which you can use exactly 2 times. Once you have used the scale twice you never get another opportunity. How can you be certain to find the stone that contains the gem? If you guess at any point you lose your chance to win the gemstone.

A First Course in Probability (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134753119
Author:Sheldon Ross
Publisher:Sheldon Ross
Chapter1: Combinatorial Analysis
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1.1P: a. How many different 7-place license plates are possible if the first 2 places are for letters and...
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You are given 9 stones which look and feel identical. One of them contains a valuable gem worth $250,000 and is actually slightly heavier than the other 8(but not enough to detect by lifting by hand) if you identify the gemstone it is yours to keep. You have a balance scale which you can use exactly 2 times. Once you have used the scale twice you never get another opportunity. How can you be certain to find the stone that contains the gem? If you guess at any point you lose your chance to win the gemstone.
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