Olympiad problems

2013 Tournament of Towns, 3

Each of $11$ weights is weighing an integer number of grams. No two weights are equal. It is known that if all these weights or any group of them are placed on a balance then the side with a larger number of weights is always heavier. Prove that at least one weight is heavier than $35$ grams.

1951 Moscow Mathematical Olympiad, 192

Tags: combinatorics , algebra , weighing

a) Given a chain of $60$ links each weighing $1$ g. Find the smallest number of links that need to be broken if we want to be able to get from the obtained parts all weights $1$ g, $2$ g, . . . , $59$ g, $60$ g? A broken link also weighs $1$ g. b) Given a chain of $150$ links each weighing $1$ g. Find the smallest number of links that need to be broken if we want to be able to get from the obtained parts all weights $1$ g, $2$ g, . . . , $149$ g, $150$ g? A broken link also weighs $1$ g.

2012 Tournament of Towns, 5

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Among $239$ coins identical in appearance there are two counterfeit coins. Both counterfeit coins have the same weight different from the weight of a genuine coin. Using a simple balance, determine in three weighings whether the counterfeit coin is heavier or lighter than the genuine coin. A simple balance shows if both sides are in equilibrium or left side is heavier or lighter. It is not required to find the counterfeit coins.

1988 Tournament Of Towns, (171) 4

Tags: combinatorics , power of 2 , weighing

We have a set of weights with masses $1$ gm, $2$ gm, $4$ gm and so on, all values being powers of $2$ . Some of these weights may have equal mass. Some weights were put on both sides of a balance beam, resulting in equilibrium. It is known that on the left hand side all weights were distinct . Prove that on the right hand side there were no fewer weights than on the left hand side.

1996 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 9.8

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

There are 8 coins, 7 of which are real, which weigh the same, and one is fake, which differs in weight from the rest. Cup scales without weights mean that if you put equal weights on their cups, then any of the cups can outweigh, but if the loads are different in mass, then the cup with a heavier load is definitely overpowered. How to definitely identify a counterfeit coin in four weighings and establish is it lighter or heavier than the others?

1990 Tournament Of Towns, (246) 4

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

A set of $61$ coins that look alike is given. Two coins (whose weights are equal) are counterfeit. The other $59$ (genuine) coins also have the same weight, but a different weight from that of the counterfeit coins. However it is not known whether it is the genuine coins or the counterfeit coins which are heavier. How can this question be resolved by three weighings on the one balance? (It is not required to separate the counterfeit coins from the genuine ones.) (D. Fomin, Leningrad)

1997 Tournament Of Towns, (535) 7

Tags: combinatorics , weighing , number theory

You are given a balance and one copy of each of ten weights of $1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256$ and $512$ grams. An object weighing $M$ grams, where $M$ is a positive integer, is put on one of the pans and may be balanced in different ways by placing various combinations of the given weights on either pan of the balance. (a) Prove that no object may be balanced in more than $89$ ways. (b) Find a value of $M$ such that an object weighing $M$ grams can be balanced in $89$ ways. (A Shapovalov, A Kulakov)

1985 Tournament Of Towns, (081) T2

Tags: game , game strategy , combinatorics , weighing

There are $68$ coins , each coin having a different weight than that of each other . Show how to find the heaviest and lightest coin in $100$ weighings on a balance beam. (S. Fomin, Leningrad)

2000 Tournament Of Towns, 4

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Among a set of $32$ coins , all identical in appearance, $30$ are real and $2$ are fake. Any two real coins have the same weight . The fake coins have the same weight , which is different from the weight of a real coin. How can one divide the coins into two groups of equal total weight by using a balance at most $4$ times? (A Shapovalov)

1993 Tournament Of Towns, (388) 6

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Construct a set of $k$ integer weights that allows you to get any total integer weight from $1$ up to $55$ grams even if some of the weights of the set are lost. Consider two versions: (a) $k = 10$, and any one of the weights may be lost; (b) $k = 12$, and any two of the weights may be lost. (D Zvonkin) (In both cases prove that the set found has the property required.)

2000 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 8.5

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Given are $8$ weights weighing $1, 2, . . . , 8$ grams, but it is not known which one how much does it weigh. Baron Munchausen claims that he remembers which of the weights weighs how much, and to prove that he is right he is ready to conduct one weighing, as a result of which the weight of at least one of the weights will be unambiguously established. Is he cheating?

1947 Moscow Mathematical Olympiad, 133

Tags: combinatorics , game strategy , weighing

Twenty cubes of the same size and appearance are made of either aluminum or of heavier duralumin. How can one find the number of duralumin cubes using not more than $11$ weighings on a balance without weights? (We assume that all cubes can be made of aluminum, but not all of duralumin.)

1992 Tournament Of Towns, (337) 5

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

$100$ silver coins ordered by weight and $101$ gold coins also ordered by weight are given. All coins have different weights. You are given a balance to compare weights of any two coins. How can you find the “middle” coin (that occupies the $101$-st place in weight among all $201$ coins) using the minimal number of weighings? Find this number and prove that a smaller number of weighings would be insufficient. (A. Andjans, Riga)

2003 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 10.8

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

In a set of 17 externally identical coins, two are counterfeit, differing from the rest in weight. It is known that the total weight of two counterfeit coins is twice the weight of a real one.s it always possible to determine the couple of counterfeit coins, having made $5$ weighings on a cup scale without weights? (It is not necessary to determine which of the fakes is heavier.)

1990 All Soviet Union Mathematical Olympiad, 534

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Given $2n$ genuine coins and $2n$ fake coins. The fake coins look the same as genuine coins but weigh less (but all fake coins have the same weight). Show how to identify each coin as genuine or fake using a balance at most $3n$ times.

2004 All-Russian Olympiad Regional Round, 8.2

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

There is a set of weights with the following properties: 1) It contains 5 weights, pairs of different weights. 2) For any two weights, there are two other weights of the same total weight. What is the smallest number of weights that can be in this set?

1997 Tournament Of Towns, (542) 3

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

You are given $20$ weights such that any object of integer weight $m$, $1 \le m \le1997$, can be balanced by placing it on one pan of a balance and a subset of the weights on the other pan. What is the minimal value of largest of the $20$ weights if the weights are (a) all integers; (b) not necessarily integers? (M Rasin)

Kvant 2025, M2833

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

There are a) $26$; b) $30$ identical-looking coins in a circle. It is known that exactly two of them are fake. Real coins weigh the same, fake ones too, but they are lighter than the real ones. How can you determine in three weighings on a cup scale without weights whether there are fake coins lying nearby or not?? [i]Proposed by A. Gribalko[/i]

1990 Tournament Of Towns, (252) 6

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

We call a collection of weights (each weighing an integer value) basic if their total weight equals $200$ and each object of integer weight not greater than $200$ can be balanced exactly with a uniquely determined set of weights from the collection. (Uniquely means that we are not concerned with order or which weights of equalc value are chosen to balance against a particular object, if in fact there is a choice.) (a) Find an example of a basic collection other than the collection of $200$ weights each of value $1$. (b) How many different basic collections are there? (D. Fomin, Leningrad)

2011 Tournament of Towns, 3

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

A balance and a set of pairwise different weights are given. It is known that for any pair of weights from this set put on the left pan of the balance, one can counterbalance them by one or several of the remaining weights put on the right pan. Find the least possible number of weights in the set.

1949 Moscow Mathematical Olympiad, 166

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Consider $13$ weights of integer mass (in grams). It is known that any $6$ of them may be placed onto two pans of a balance achieving equilibrium. Prove that all the weights are of equal mass.

1992 Tournament Of Towns, (328) 5

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

$50$ silver coins ordered by weight and $51$ gold coins also ordered by weight are given. All coins have different weights. You are given a balance to compare weights of any two coins. How can you find the “middle” coin (that occupying the $51$st place in weight among all $101$ coins) using $7$ weighings? (A. Andjans)

2000 Tournament Of Towns, 4

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Among a set of $2N$ coins, all identical in appearance, $2N - 2$ are real and $2$ are fake. Any two real coins have the same weight . The fake coins have the same weight, which is different from the weight of a real coin. How can one divide the coins into two groups of equal total weight by using a balance at most $4$ times, if (a) $N = 16$, ( b ) $N = 11$ ? (A Shapovalov)

2000 Tournament Of Towns, 5

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

A weight of $11111$ grams is placed in the left pan of a balance. Weights are added one at a time, the first weighing $1$ gram, and each subsequent one weighing twice as much as the preceding one. Each weight may be added to either pan. After a while, equilibrium is achieved. Is the $16$ gram weight placed in the left pan or the right pan? ( AV Kalinin)

1990 Tournament Of Towns, (249) 3

Tags: combinatorics , weighing

Fifteen elephants stand in a row. Their weights are expressed by integer numbers of kilograms. The sum of the weight of each elephant (except the one on the extreme right) and the doubled weight of its right neighbour is exactly $15$ tonnes. Determine the weight of each elephant. (F.L. Nazarov)