02/12/04 MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

MATH COLLOQUIUM, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 11:00 AM, STARR 138

SPEAKER: James Howard,

Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Ferris State University

TITLE: Generalizations of the Counterfeit Coin Problem

I will be discussing several generalizations (to n weighings) of the following problem:

You have a balance scale and twelve coins. Exactly one of the coins is counterfeit and, therefore either heavier of lighter than a genuine coin, but you do not know which. Using only three weighings, can you identify the counterfeit coin and decide whether it is too heavy or too light?

REFRESHMENTS: 11:00 AM, STARR 138

Please visit Math Colloquium website at

http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/artsands/Math/MATH_COLLOQUIUM/ColloquiumWeb/index.html