Question

There are 24 kg of nails in a sack. Can you measure 9 kgs using only a balance with two pans ? Is it possible to
measure 11 kgs?

Answer 1

Answer:

Put about half of nails on each side and perform fine adjustments until balance is achieved. This means that each side now has 6 kilos and one side can now be removed and separated. For remaining 6 kilos on one side, move about half to other side and perform fine adjustments until balance is achieved again. Each side will now have 3 kilos and either side can now be combined with a 6-kilo group to yield 9 kilos.