Q: With one straight cut a cake can be sliced into two pieces. A second cut that crosses the first one will make four pieces, and a third cut can produce as many as seven pieces. What is the largest number of pieces that you can get with six straight cuts?
A: 22
With 0 cuts, you get 1 big cake
With 1 cut, 2 pieces
With 2 cuts, 4 pieces
For the 3rd cut, if you cut cleverly you can get 7 pieces
With 0 cuts, you get 1 big cake
With 1 cut, 2 pieces
With 2 cuts, 4 pieces
For the 3rd cut, if you cut cleverly you can get 7 pieces
click here for more info and nice graphics thanks to the Guardian
http://bit.ly/CuttingthePieGardner
http://bit.ly/CuttingthePieGardner
Math Confidence by Robin the Math Lady 