Suppose You Are Given 12 Coins, One of Which Is

Multiple Choice

Suppose you are given 12 coins, one of which is counterfeit and weighs a little more or less than the real coins. Using a two-pan balance scale, what is the minimum number of weighings necessary to find the counterfeit coin? ​

A) 7 weighings
B) 3 weighings
C) 1 weighings
D) 4 weighings
E) 6 weighings