To win the Prowler, you must be the first one to post the correct answer to the following...
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You are provided with the following items:
(1) The Scale (right image)
(2) Nine identical HeroClix figures

Of the nine figures, one is slightly heavier than the other eight, but there is no way to identify this figure unless you use the scale.

Question: What's the most efficient way to use the scale in order to find the heavier figure?

Post your answer below (and don't forget a valid email address)!

Note: If you've recently won a contest in the last 30 days (i.e. Watchmen sweepstakes winners), you are not eligeable to win again the Prowler, sorry.

This contest is complete! Grategy was the first person to answer correctly. (this was NOT a trick question by the way)

Answer:
Since you have 9 items, break them up into 3 groups with 3 items in each group. Then weigh any two groups. This will immeditely identify the group that has the heavier item (or if the weights are equal, then the group that is NOT being weighed has the heavier item). Now that you've identified the heavier group, take the 3 items from that group and weigh any two of those items -- and now you've identified the heaviest item!

Many years ago I intereviewed at Microsoft and they asked me this same question (there were 9 marbles). I incorrectly answered by saying you should weigh 2 items at a time. For that, and other reasons, I didn't get the job :(