A simple question ?

Question

You have seven identical coins, and another that is only slightly heavier than the rest (eight in total). You have a set of scales that is able to accurately measure the smallest difference in weight. What is the minimum amount of times you need to use the scales in order to determine which is the heavier coin?

Answer 1

The answer is two times.

First, you put aside 2 coins and put 3 coins on each side of scale. If the scale shows equal weights, it means the heavier coins is one of the two set aside, you just put one of those two coins on each side of scales and determine the heavier coin.

If one of the sides of initial three coins is heavy than the heavier coin is 1 of that 3 coins. Out of those 3 coins put 1 coin aside and put the remaining 2 on each side of scales. If 1 of them is heavy you know which one it is, if they both are equal than the 3rd coin set aside is the heavier one.

Answer 2

2 times as all other seven a re identical.