h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Envy-Free Cake Division - A27052922
Author: Icy North - U225620

Greetings, Peer Reviewers

I wrote this as a result of the QI - Piece of Cake thread, ref F7180006?thread=4578888

Please let me know what you think.

Icy

It was a in the QI thread.

I didn't expect you to write the maths behind it

Hi Lil

Most of the maths is way over my head. I've tried to summarise some of the simpler bits.

I confess I've not actually put these in practice - maybe you could try it out next time VV visits?

We are lucky if we ever get to see the cake when she visits! ..

.. Oh! She will be here tomorrow

I'm just trying to find the link I had found then, but I can't remember which search parameters I used.

I've seen the article you found, Bel. It's an example of a 4-person envy-free method, and is beyond the understanding of mere mortals like me. You probably found the abstract (summary) page, but the full text is much, much longer.

I found this one:
http://www.ams.org/proc/1997-125-02/S0002-9939-97-03614-9/S0002-9939-97-03614-9.pdf

and they do explain how it works fro five people.
It looked quite logical, but complicated. Thought it was just me again.

I don't think they describe a 5-person method, but they discuss how they might go about working it out. It's a bit like Deep Thought version 1 saying that they would need Deep Thought version 2.

I've tried to make the article as clear as I can, so please let me know if it doesn't make sense.

I merely skimmed that one, I didn't even try to follow those explanations.

Yours is clear, although quite frankly, I couldn't get so excited about a piece of

You could link to your blancmange entry.

Oh, and I know it's not really about but about a mathematical problem. It is a problem though I'd just never have, nor that I'd be interested in solving for myself.

It reads well, and I understood the explanations.

What really stands out is that there doesn't appear to be a foolproof method that works (without having to use a protractor etc.)!

My son and I use the 'you cut, I choose' version all the time, but I didn't realise it could all get so complicated!

A great entry, can't wait to see it hit the Front Page!

Thank you both!

I was worried that the descriptions might be difficult to follow without pictures (you should see Stromquists diagram with the sword!)

If it looks OK, I'll go ahead and add links.

This is very good, but I think I'd need to try it on an actual cake first

Can't you try it at your next amputation class?

I haven't found my sword yet. The one in the museum was a replica.

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anyone?

?

Well done.