Fair Pie Slicing Challenge

What you need

• Paper, 4 sheets
• Plate or tray, 1 plate to trace
• Kid scissors, 1 pair
• Crayons or markers, 1 pencil
• Pie, 1
• Butter knife, 1, or a pie server
• Small plates, 1 per person

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Have a pie ready on the counter and a plate for tracing. Decide who will be eating so the kids can count the guests. A grown-up should hold the pie dish and help with the knife.

1. Trace the plate onto paper to make a pie-sized circle.
2. Cut out your paper circles.
3. Fold one circle in half, then in quarters, then in eighths.
4. Fold a new circle into thirds like a fan to get sixths.
   Ask: If thirds make sixths, what do you think happens when you fold it in half again?
5. Work out how to make 12 equal slices.
   Ask: Which folds could you combine to get 12 slices?
6. Count how many people are eating, including anyone who wants half a slice.
7. Plan your cuts on a paper circle and mark light lines on the pie. Ask for help if you need it
8. Cut the pie by following your plan, then compare the slices. Ask for help if you need it
   Ask: Are all the slices the same size? How can you tell?
9. Now serve everyone! Which fraction will you try on the next pie?
   Ask: What would you change to make the next pie even fairer?

Play it again

• Surprise guests: a new number of people arrives, so redo the plan fast.
• Pizza switch: plan fair slices for a round pizza instead.
• Fold race: see who can fold eighths, then sixths, the quickest.