Brain Teaser

Morning all,

I actually don't know the answer to this so obvious proof will be required for us all to work through it rather than people just mysteriously picking numbers at random.

The teaser is this:

What is the greatest number of pieces that a pizza can be cut into with 8 straight cuts.
The pieces do not have to be the same size or the same shape.

If you were given this as a maths question, would you write something explaining that this is not strict enough? If so, what problems do you see in this question? (I see about 5 btw!).

Anyone?

I get 25 by making it into a chequer board style

We're up to 37 in this house! I'm sure it can be more though!

256

xbigstevex wrote:256

I like the thought process of this. 2 to the power 8. This only applies if you can move the pieces though and hence is one of the conditions that isn't set (see the second part of my question).

May I ask, did you get this by Googling the question and seeing it appear on another forum I post at?

MADV wrote:

xbigstevex wrote:256

I like the thought process of this. 2 to the power 8. This only applies if you can move the pieces though and hence is one of the conditions that isn't set (see the second part of my question).

May I ask, did you get this by Googling the question and seeing it appear on another forum I post at?

no googleing involved m8, just the old grey matter stirring into action.

what other rules are there you haven't told us yet???

xbigstevex wrote:

MADV wrote:

xbigstevex wrote:256

I like the thought process of this. 2 to the power 8. This only applies if you can move the pieces though and hence is one of the conditions that isn't set (see the second part of my question).

May I ask, did you get this by Googling the question and seeing it appear on another forum I post at?

no googleing involved m8, just the old grey matter stirring into action.

what other rules are there you haven't told us yet???

This is kind of the point, Steve. I didn't set the question but I see all sorts of other "rules" that need to be set in place for this question to have meaning. It was set as a 13+ maths question. I'm just wondering how you're supposed to get the correct answer with the limited information given and I'm appreciating all your replies.