Question

Gomper is trying to cut a round pizza into the largest possible number of pieces with 3 straight cuts of the knife. He can't restack or rearrange the pieces after a cut. What is the largest number of pieces he can cut?

Answer 1

a)If Gomper cuts the pizza with 3 parallel cuts, there will be 4 pieces.

b)If he makes 2 parallel cut and 1 cut not parallel to the first 2:

the 2 parallel cuts form 3 pieces. The next non parallel cut, doubles the 3 pieces, into 6.

c) if no 2 of the cuts are parallel, and no 3 lines intersect at 1 point, then 7 pieces are formed, as can be checked in the picture.


Answer: 7