Problem

Source: Argentina Cono Sur TST 2014, Problem 6

Tags: combinatorics proposed, combinatorics



$120$ bags with $100$ coins are placed on the floor. One bag has coins that weigh $9$ grams, the other bags have coins that weigh $10$ grams. One may place some coins (not necessarily from the same bag) on a weighing scale, but it will only properly display the weight if it is less than $1000$ grams. Determine the minimum number of times that the weighing scale may be used in order to identify the bag that has the $9$-gram coins.