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 in a mobile or tree structure, with designated positions where the player must hang specified weights, so that everything balances. See examples below.

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

Variants

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