h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

1 and two 2s is the same as 1, 2 & 3 isn't it?

i suppose so, but if you've already got a way of creating a 3 via a combination, why use 3 in the end?

It's a good thing i checked back. we could've missed the clue that czardine left us.

Czar, are we allowed to put potatoes on both sides of the scale?

Patches - on the same arguement, what about 5 then? And why am I still answering all your posts with questions?
Has the answer got anything to do with nuns?

to czar, I apologise for the leakage of the questions only thread, namely: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F2137311?thread=1575417. you're welcome to join us. to ped, you don't have to ask questions in here unless you want to.

6 weights: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32

No correct answers yet. There is no point in putting potatoes on both sides.

10. 2 ones, 4 twos, 2 fives, 2 tens, 2 twentys.

Sorry, I can't add.

Make that 12: 2 ones, 4 twos, 2 fives, 2 tens, 2 twentys.

No!

Ok. Oh, I know... It's 11, cos a potato can't weigh less than 1 unit, therefore: 1 one, 4 twos, 2 fives, 2 tens, 2 twentys.

Wait. aren't we working in pounds? what about ounces? do we have to work with ounces as well? 'cos I'm used to working in metric.

Still six but:
1, ,2, 3, 7, 13 & 22 would do it (as well)

1+2-3+7+13+22=.....42!!!!

YAY!!!!!

Sorry, got a little carried away.

Why do you (Patches) always copy my posts?

The most extreme answer would be one weight of 1 kilo (assuming that he is not selling less than a kilo):
Weigh out 1 kilo of potatoes with the weight.
Then weigh 2 kilos of potatoes using the 1 kilo weight and the 1 kilo of potatoes.
Carry on as above (i.e. then you can either weigh out 3 kilos more of potatoes or another 2 kilos of potatoes, making 5 or 4 kilos total).

That's a helluva long way round the problem.

to ped - I copy/paste from your posts cos you come up with the most inspirational stuff. Are you a muse? If not, you SHOULD be!

Could be but why 40 kg maximum. Your theory would work indefinitely.

Try this hootoo article http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A649983