Weighings using a balance
Source: 45th International Tournament of Towns, Senior A-Level P7, Fall 2023
December 10, 2023
combinatorics
Problem Statement
On the table there are coins that look the same. It is known that of them
weigh 9 g. each, while the remaining weigh 10 g. each. It is required to split the
coins into pairs with total weight of each pair 19 g. Prove that this can be done
in less than weighings using a balance without additional weights (the balance
shows which pan is heavier or that their weight is equal).