Amy and Peter are sharing a cake. Amy will cut it into two pieces. Peter then cutsone of the pieces into two. This is followed by a second cut by Amy and a secondcut by Peter, so that there will be five pieces, of sizes 0 ≤ a1 ≤ a2 ≤ a3 ≤ a4 ≤ a5,with a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + a5 = 1. Peter will get the three pieces of sizes a1, a3 anda5, while Amy will get the remaining two pieces.What is the maximum amount of the cake Peter can get ?The answer is surprising !We first digress and consider the companion problem where Amy will get the threepieces of sizes a1, a3 and a5, while Peter will get the remaining two pieces. Whatis the maximum amount of the cake Amy can get ?First, we prove that Peter can always get 25of the cake. Suppose Amy cuts thecake into two pieces of sizes x and 1 − x, where 0 ≤ x ≤12. There are three cases.Case 1. 25 ≤ x ≤12.Peter will cut 1 − x into x and 1 − 2x. Now the three pieces are of sizes 1 − 2x <x = x. If Amy does not cut either x, neither will Peter. Peter will then be sure ofgetting x plus a second piece, and x ≥25. If Amy cuts one of the x’s, Peter willcut the other x in the same proportions. Peter will get two pieces which add upto x ≥25.Case 2. 15 ≤ x < 25.Peter will cut x into x−15and 15. Now the three pieces are of sizes x−15 <15 < 1−x.If Amy does not cut 1 − x, Peter will cut it in halves. The second smallest piececannot be less than 12(x−15), so Peter will get at least 1−x2 +12(x−15) = 25. SupposeAmy cuts 1 − x into y and 1 − x − y, where 0 ≤ y ≤1−x2. Then Peter will cut1 − x − y into 25 − y and 35 − x. Now y + ( 25 − y) = 25 = (x −15) + ( 35 − x). ThusPeter will get two pieces which add up to 25.