Question

An apothecary has a set of five weights for use in the pans of his balance. By proper selection of weights, he is able to measure every multiple of 0.5 g, from 0.5 g up to a total of the five weights together. If the arrangement of weights is such that the apothecary can weigh the maxium possible amount, what are the five weights?

Answer 1

.5,1, 2, 4, 8

that allows you to have masses totalling
.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, and up to 15.5 g