On: Dicing an Onion, the Mathematically Optimal Way

[motbus3]

This remembers I have a challenge to figure out with some friends.

How to split a round cheese in in 5 perfectly without using any tools except the knife.

Assume you have the ability to cut in half perfectly always

Assume that if you can slice it in 10 equals pieces it is also a valid solution because you can just give two pieces for each

[mtklein → motbus3]

Okay, I'll bite: 2 and 5 are prime, this is the perfect fifth problem, only approximate solutions are possible. Make me wrong!

[bravesoul2 → mtklein]

Cut into 8. Give 1 piece each.

For the remaining 3, repeat this method.

Let epsilon be a number as small as you like...

[account42 → bravesoul2]

The solution is to have a pet/toddler that makes even larger epsilons disappear.

[aidenn0 → motbus3]

Measure how many widths of the knife divide the circumference of the cheese. Divide by 5 and make a radial cut at each division.