Grades 5-6 Video Solutions 2024-2024_5-6

Video Transcription

Question 9. Peter has a package weighing 445 grams and the following 8 weights.  He puts the package on a scale as shown. What is the smallest number of weights he needs to balance the scale?  Notice how the question only asks us to balance the scale and does not restrict us to putting weights only on one side of the scale. This means we can do something like this.  Put the 500 gram weight on the left and put the 50 gram and 5 gram weights on the right. We can double check that our scale is balanced.  The left side has one weight which weighs 500 grams and the right side has a package weighing 445 grams, a weight weighing 50 grams, and a weight weighing 5 grams, also totaling to 500 grams.  Therefore, the smallest number of weights Peter needs to balance the scale is 3 weights. For more information visit www.ISGlobal.org

Video Summary

Peter needs three weights to balance the scale with his 445-gram package. By placing a 500-gram weight on one side and using 50-gram and 5-gram weights on the other side along with the package, both sides sum to 500 grams, achieving balance with the smallest number of weights.