Balance Power

You can weigh all integer masses from 1 to 60 with 6 weights putting the weights in one pan and the object in the other pan. Which weights are used?

What about weighing all integer masses from 1 to 1000?

What about from 1 to n?

What could this have to do with the way computers work?

For a bigger challenge can you find how many weights are needed if you put weights in both pans?

Click here to download the BALANCE POWER worksheet.

Click here for the Notes for Teachers.

Click here to download the BALANCE POWER poster.

This activity is adapted from the NRICH task Balance Power with permission of the University of Cambridge. All rights reserved. Explore NRICH for many other rich mathematical activities.