Crypto Exchanges
Can you solve the counterfeit coin riddle? – Jennifer Lu
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/can-you-solve-the-counterfeit-coin-riddle-jennifer-lu
You’re the realm’s greatest mathematician, but ever since you criticized the Emperor’s tax laws, you’ve been locked in the dungeon. Luckily for you, one of the Emperor’s governors has been convicted of paying his taxes with a counterfeit coin, which has made its way into the treasury. Can you earn your freedom by finding the fake? Jennifer Lu shows how.
Lesson by Jennifer Lu, animation by Artrake Studio.
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Did you know that if you only want to identify the counterfeit using 3 weighings, or if you have a reference real coin, then it can be from 13 coins instead of 12? 12 is only the maximum if you lack a reference coin and you need to know if the coin is heavier or lighter.
wait….. if the emperor doesn't know which one is fake, how does he even make sure that there IS a fake one?????
First off it would only take 5 minutes to thoroughly check all the coins… who wouldn't let you finish
I did the same thing but slightly different, split into 2 groups of six, then 2 groups of 3. After I have 3, I weight 2 , if it weighs the same, the counterfeit is the leftover one, if the counterfeit is on the scale, it’ll be lighter
Can't you divide in three? Then, equal, divide the remaining in 2, then in one etc
Now do the same with 7,174,452 coins in 15 weightings