The Twelve Coin Balance Problem 1481l

This is a classic old puzzle which requires logic, lateral thinking and a lot of patience! (Sometimes the puzzle features billiard balls instead of coins, but the problem is the same.) 3u1m

The Problem: 4u5t3u

You are given twelve identical coins. You are told eleven of them weigh exactly the same but one is a fake which is either heavier or lighter than the others. You have set of balance scales, and you have to find which is the fake, and whether it is too heavy or too light. The tricky bit is that you are only allowed to use the balance scales a maximum of THREE times! 1l21e

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Would you like to know the full solution? m2k4u If you can't do the normal puzzle, then look at these 12 old coins. The fronts and backs of all the coins are shown, can you spot the FAKE? Click on it for the answer.

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Here's what posh scales look like.