Balance (puzzle)

A balance puzzle is a mathematical puzzle which challenges the solver to distribute a subset of numbers so that the several sides of a stylized diagram representing a balance scale are equal. The balance puzzle is a classical number puzzle in the World Puzzle Championship. It consists of a mobile or tree structure, with designated positions where the player must hang specified weights, so that everything balances. See examples below.

For the riddle, see Balance puzzle.
9th World Puzzle Championship balloon balance puzzle

There are usually 8 to 12 consecutive numbers (weights) to place, which makes it much smaller than, for example, sudoku.

As in many mathematical puzzles, the solution is unique. Expert puzzlers often prefer puzzles where the rules explicitly states that there is only one solution. This property allows for some reasoning strategies. It also makes generating puzzles a bit more difficult.

Examples
In the interactive SMIL, solve the balance puzzle, then click the numbers at the bottom until the red circle turns green
  • Weight Puzzles
  • "Tired of Sudoku? Try Balance!". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2008-01-13.

Variants
  • Balloon balance: same puzzle but with negatives weights also to be placed. example


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