# Only 3 cuts allowed: visual puzzle and solution | SwaVid

What is the maximum number of pieces you can make from one pizza with 3 straight cuts? See the complete step-by-step solution.

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# Only 3 cuts allowed

## 7 pieces.

### First cut

### Second cut crosses the first

### Third cut crosses both

SwaVid visual puzzle

What is the maximum number of pieces you can make from one pizza with 3 straight cuts?

Detailed solution

Each new cut adds as many pieces as the number of earlier cuts it crosses, plus one. So do not let the cuts meet at a single point.

One straight cut splits the pizza in two.

Crossing one line adds two pieces.

Crossing two lines without passing through their intersection adds three pieces.

Cutting through the centre like a normal pizza makes all three cuts meet at one point and gives only 6 pieces.

- 1 First cut One straight cut splits the pizza in two. 2 pieces
- 2 Second cut crosses the first Crossing one line adds two pieces. 2 + 2 = 4 pieces
- 3 Third cut crosses both Crossing two lines without passing through their intersection adds three pieces. 4 + 3 = 7 pieces

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