Subscribe now

Puzzle #222: Can you help Patty use her inaccurate scales?

Can you solve this week’s arithmetical puzzle, A question of balance? Plus the answer to puzzle #221

17 May 2023

New Scientist Default Image

#222 A question of balance

Set by Howard Williams

Being sentimental, Patty likes to use her grandmother’s beam scales when weighing out ingredients to make a birthday cake for her own granddaughter. The only problem is that the scales aren’t accurate as the two arms are of slightly different lengths.

To overcome this, she uses both pans and measures half the required quantity in each. For example, to weigh 2 kilograms of flour, she will put a 1-kilogram weight in the right-hand pan and weigh the flour on the left-hand pan, then place the weight in the left-hand pan and …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account