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:: The Five Bags of Coins::

You are given 5 bags containing 100 coins each. The bags can contain coins of 3 different types that look identical. The first type weighs 9 grams, the second type 10 and the third type 11 grams. Each bag contains coins of equal weight but you do not know how many of the 5 bags are of the different types. (i.e. all 5 bags might well contain 9 gram coins as far as you are concerned). You are given a huge digital balance. How many times do you need to use the balance to clearly dertermine the type of coin contained in each bag?

Hint: Do the Copper/Gold coin problem first.

Answer