Are We Being Fair?

Many times we are asked to divide something into groups that we think are fair. Consider the following problems. Your group will be asked to come up with a fair solution for each problem. A spokesperson from your group will be asked to explain your solution and the method that you used to come to your solution to the rest of the class.


Situation #1

Sally, Billy, and John are sharing a 12" pepperoni pizza. How can they be sure that they each get a fair share? Who should cut the pizza and who should choose which piece and in what order they should choose? What if the pizza comes to them already cut, is there still a method for dividing it fairly?











Situation #2

Amy, Beth, Meg, and Jo are receiving an inheritance form Aunt Marsh's estate. The estate includes a house, a jewelry collection, a signed original painting, and $110,000 cash. Come up with a way to divide the estate so that each girl feels she is getting a fair share.









The Discrete Mathematics Project