Lazy cutting of a huge pizza

Probability Level 2

What is a maximum number of pizza pieces that can be made with 63 of straight cuts on a circular pizza?


The answer is 2017.

Maria Kozlowska by Maria Kozlowska , 57, Canada

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2 solutions

Maria Kozlowska
Jan 7, 2017

The consecutive results are known as the lazy caterer's sequence, more formally known as the central polygonal numbers.

Applying the formula we get the answer: n 2 + n + 2 2 = 2017 \frac{n^2+n+2}{2}=\boxed{2017}

For more information see Lazy caterer's sequence

2 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

f ( n ) = 1 2 ( n 2 + n + 2 ) f(n)=\frac{1}{2}(n^2+n+2) , where n n = number of cuts

f ( 63 ) = 1 2 ( 6 3 2 + 63 + 2 ) = 2017 f(63)=\frac{1}{2}(63^2+63+2)=2017

1 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

This is exactly the same solution as Maria provided.

Michael Huang - 4 years, 5 months ago

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