The Scientific Way to Cut a Cake - Numberphile

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  • Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
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    Alex Bellos on cutting a cake using scientific principles.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 4,1 тис.

  • @steve1978ger
    @steve1978ger 8 років тому +3902

    Unless it's a mathematician's party, stating "You're cutting this cake in a very faulty way" will probably result in not being invited again.

    • @Danscottmusic
      @Danscottmusic 8 років тому +194

      +steve1978ger Who was that person at the party last night who didn't talk to anyone and kept measuring the cake with a ruler and a protractor?

    • @steve1978ger
      @steve1978ger 8 років тому +42

      Daniel Scott - love at first visual contact.

    • @Pikakeung
      @Pikakeung 7 років тому +4

      steve1978ger That's exactly the reason why that person knows and uses this method.

    • @anykeyh
      @anykeyh 5 років тому +4

      404 likes to your comment... Which comment?

    • @eastpavilion-er6081
      @eastpavilion-er6081 5 років тому +9

      If it's a party, the cake will be gone on day 1. So no need to cut cake like that.

  • @JoshuaRobertMoser
    @JoshuaRobertMoser 8 років тому +7592

    I think he's overestimating how long a cake lasts in the average household.

    • @prosincr
      @prosincr 8 років тому +74

      If you don't have restraint

    • @prosincr
      @prosincr 8 років тому +10

      Joshua Moser lol

    • @2h4d0wDK
      @2h4d0wDK 8 років тому +34

      But he isn't basing it on the average household

    • @EionBlue
      @EionBlue 8 років тому +48

      +Dilip Tien It's a cake, how much restraint could you possibly have?

    • @austinbarton6874
      @austinbarton6874 8 років тому +39

      It must be nice to eat cake with other people. I never finish my birthday cakes.

  • @leannb2513
    @leannb2513 9 років тому +9870

    alternative solution: eat the entire cake in one sitting

    • @drearyburritos1354
      @drearyburritos1354 8 років тому +42

      I hope you dont do that...

    • @steve1978ger
      @steve1978ger 8 років тому +57

      +Leann Beckman - just start digging into it with a spoon, preferably from the middle out, rawrr gnam cake drool

    • @Keshaire
      @Keshaire 8 років тому +8

      +Leann Beckman
      I commented the same thing right before reading your comment. xD

    • @MakinSumthinFromNuthin
      @MakinSumthinFromNuthin 8 років тому +17

      I wont eat a cake that isnt chocolate cake :)

    • @BiscuitZombies
      @BiscuitZombies 8 років тому +4

      same xD

  • @christophergaspar6520
    @christophergaspar6520 4 роки тому +1049

    nice statement at the end
    he kept it obvious
    "this is for mathematical loners who don't want to share their cakes"

  • @karffiol
    @karffiol 9 років тому +5916

    everybody knows there is no day two for a cake

    • @thecrystalcrystals9242
      @thecrystalcrystals9242 8 років тому +45

      Not if you're like me, there isn't...

    • @ACTlVISION
      @ACTlVISION 8 років тому +160

      This is like the epitome of the difference between engineer and mathematician. Engineer knows ain't nobody leaving cake for tomorrow.

    • @thecrystalcrystals9242
      @thecrystalcrystals9242 8 років тому +15

      WHAT THE PLANTS CRAVE now THAT'S scientifically accurate. But jokes aside, I think we're missing the point of this video

    • @theawesomesausage
      @theawesomesausage 7 років тому +6

      especially in the US.

    • @arj290
      @arj290 6 років тому +12

      Day two? There's no minute ten for cakes!

  • @AngelofHogwarts
    @AngelofHogwarts 8 років тому +4189

    What is this foreign concept of a "leftover cake"?

    • @rollyatm55
      @rollyatm55 8 років тому +33

      LOL best comment :D

    • @thecrystalcrystals9242
      @thecrystalcrystals9242 8 років тому +97

      Sorry, JesusMySavior, I don't speak this outlandish language of yours. What is this "lëftóvêr càke" you speak of? Please translate to English

    • @MrGsteele
      @MrGsteele 6 років тому +20

      It's roughly akin to the hysterical notion of leftover wine, only without the hangover.

    • @sayonmondal3454
      @sayonmondal3454 6 років тому +7

      Hi I am informing you after 2 years that you've got 1K + likes! Congratulations

    • @Aakash_Goswami1
      @Aakash_Goswami1 5 років тому +19

      @@sayonmondal3454 Hi I am informing you after 5 months that you've got 1 like! (from me) Congratulations!

  • @AlanKey86
    @AlanKey86 10 років тому +346

    Ingenious as this method may be, for solving 1 problem, I spot 2 new problems it creates:
    *1. Icing Overload* Near the end, when you've already gobbled up most of the cake, you'll be left with weird outside edgy bits, thick with icing but lacking sponge. The icing-sponge ratio of those last few pieces will be all wrong.
    *2. Tensile Stress Overload* In order to not get a massively oversized 1st slice, you'd have to cut quite a narrow block from the centre of the cake. The sponge may lack the strength to hold itself together, being so thin. At least with a wedge you maximise structural integrity by essentially having a traingular piece of cake.
    Thank you for reading this comment. If you enjoyed this comment, you might like to try reading other comments, such as the one below mine.

    • @victorselve8349
      @victorselve8349 7 років тому +4

      Also Not all cakes can simply be pushed together like this without falling apart

    • @geraldsnodd
      @geraldsnodd 2 роки тому +1

      Genius comment. 🙂👍

    • @mgA757
      @mgA757 2 роки тому

      Your comment seems interesting.🤓

  • @SickSkilz
    @SickSkilz 5 років тому +512

    This is a great way for a single guy with no friends to ensure that the suffering another birthday alone is drawn out for as many days as possible.

    • @rileyweisman3789
      @rileyweisman3789 10 місяців тому +5

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 thanks for the laugh 4 years later

  • @DizzIlike
    @DizzIlike 9 років тому +1134

    People's faces when I cut the cake at the next birthday party...

    • @lisa2608
      @lisa2608 8 років тому +75

      Actually imagining this made me laugh

    • @yarullinaguliya7285
      @yarullinaguliya7285 6 років тому +9

      Soo weird faces, lol😂😂😂

    • @everby9998
      @everby9998 5 років тому +8

      The kids actually devour the cake within minutes

    • @lunapotter5593
      @lunapotter5593 5 років тому +2

      😂😂😂

    • @gekkouga2828
      @gekkouga2828 4 роки тому +5

      ...will be terrible and they will see you as a mad-man.

  • @mordaren
    @mordaren 9 років тому +2052

    This might be satisfying for mathematicians, but a physicist will point out that the rubber band will stretch when put in a cool refridgerator. Thus the effect of the rubber band is nullified, and you've opened up for up to 4 times as much surface area exposal than what you tried to get away from when simply slicing out a wedge.
    A potentially more satisfying way would be to simply chop disks from off the bottom of the cake.

    • @IvanKaramasov11
      @IvanKaramasov11 9 років тому +38

      +mordaren *made me snicker*

    • @60NXNP09
      @60NXNP09 9 років тому +162

      Then you'll be left with the icing only!

    • @НикитаЛубин
      @НикитаЛубин 9 років тому +51

      +mordaren well, more satisfying way will only work if the cake does not have any layers

    • @checkplus
      @checkplus 9 років тому +140

      An Engineer might disagree with your efficiency. That is, your cake to icing ratio. A slightly better solution may be to cut a normal piece, then proceed to cut the cake in half from the tip of where the piece was. Then you could close the space where you took the piece and it would stay fresh. This would leave the edges on the other side dry, but you could just cut your next piece from the same spot you took your first, and it would be fresh on both sides. As long as you closed it up after each one, every piece would be moist until the last bit, but at least you didn't ever have a piece that was 90% cake with virtually no icing.

    • @Chaosproscho
      @Chaosproscho 9 років тому +28

      +mordaren
      Care to explain to me why a rubber band would expand in a cold environment and not retract?

  • @Ho3n3r
    @Ho3n3r 8 років тому +854

    If you still have cake left over from the previous day, I'm doubting it was a delicious cake to begin with.

    • @CARx_2
      @CARx_2 3 роки тому +8

      Not at all. Cake can fill you up

    • @vomicine5928
      @vomicine5928 3 роки тому +7

      Sometimes cakes are big too
      And if you're alone then it's a different story :')

  • @GoBobe
    @GoBobe 5 років тому +820

    I did this to my own birthday cake 2 years ago, and i was almost crucified by my own family in the sushi restaurant. 😓😑

  • @overkillsnake
    @overkillsnake 8 років тому +1247

    Saran Wrap? Tupperware? Aluminium foil? A covered cake stand? Maths....because we can.

    • @rad1c_880
      @rad1c_880 8 років тому +8

      +1, adding: Cream and not sugar coating? (for pushing the parts together)

    • @timothyk3505
      @timothyk3505 8 років тому +1

      What's Saran Wrap? I have never heard of that

    • @KurtisBlack
      @KurtisBlack 8 років тому +2

      Cling film

    • @Sylphadora
      @Sylphadora 8 років тому +11

      Yeah, but why the waste? XD Also, if feels cool to do it out of the ordinary, lol =)

    • @yogeebear2599
      @yogeebear2599 8 років тому +5

      well the rest of us wants to look smart

  • @gaeb-hd4lf
    @gaeb-hd4lf 7 років тому +522

    "maximizing the amount of gastronomical pleasure"
    that sentence sound beautiful xd

  • @stevendieudonne4027
    @stevendieudonne4027 9 років тому +272

    Not only does the cake stay moist , you also get an infinite process, which mean infinite cakes.

    • @thedarkspeedninjashadittsux
      @thedarkspeedninjashadittsux 7 років тому

      clark format But they keep getting smaller

    • @danimations1440
      @danimations1440 6 років тому +10

      Zed no it’s not, if you have one, and add a half, then add a quarter, then an eighth, etc. You don’t ever reach infinity, you don’t even get past 2, this is the same thing

    • @Dexuz
      @Dexuz 5 років тому +7

      Nah its not infinite, even with a atom-wide knife the cake piece would eventually turn to be a couple molecules wide, and for our human purposes that means no cake.

    • @ToperRS
      @ToperRS 5 років тому +9

      @@Dexuz Bruh it's a joke.

    • @syrenahrenaye8688
      @syrenahrenaye8688 5 років тому

      Planks length

  • @apriljones1381
    @apriljones1381 5 років тому +90

    “Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.”

  • @litigioussociety4249
    @litigioussociety4249 8 років тому +1049

    This only applies to people who actually have leftover cake.

  • @EfHaichDee
    @EfHaichDee 9 років тому +1144

    This is why mathematicians are never taken seriously by the general public.

    • @clairesun1549
      @clairesun1549 8 років тому +32

      This isn't maths. And the guy isn't a mathematician.

    • @justinlasker6269
      @justinlasker6269 8 років тому +119

      This is why you're not taken seriously by the general public.

    • @RonWolfHowl
      @RonWolfHowl 8 років тому +45

      +FHD فَهِد‎ Because they like to have fun every once in a while?

    • @Zergeometer
      @Zergeometer 5 років тому +3

      I guess it's because you know nothing about mathematics. Tell me what the world would be like if Newton wasn't been taken seriously?

    • @aufdermitte7143
      @aufdermitte7143 5 років тому

      @@RonWolfHowl It depends on what you mean by "having fun", overthinking about mundane things like how to cut a cake wouldn't classify as having fun to most people.

  • @thepip3599
    @thepip3599 8 років тому +301

    I wish he kept going until it was crazily tiny, and he couldn't cut it anymore without squishing it.

    • @michaelbauers8800
      @michaelbauers8800 8 років тому +53

      Some sort of Planck's constant would come into play

    • @kayleighmay2557
      @kayleighmay2557 8 років тому +35

      He wouldn't have many rubber bands left...

    • @PhleriusBlog
      @PhleriusBlog Рік тому

      Только если бы торт не ушёл в сингулярность, хах :)
      Only if the cake had not gone into a singularity, huh :)

  • @thechickennuggetoffate9139
    @thechickennuggetoffate9139 5 років тому +76

    *_"Maximizing the amount of gastronomic pleasure"_*

  • @montygordon
    @montygordon 8 років тому +816

    The cake to icing ratio on the last slices would be bad

    • @theramendutchman
      @theramendutchman 8 років тому +17

      My thoughts exactly.

    • @aberdeeen
      @aberdeeen 8 років тому +37

      Right... You just have a disgusting pile of icing at the end

    • @Gamerdude753
      @Gamerdude753 6 років тому +62

      You guys are weird. Those would be the best slices.

    • @AlessandroSistiMusic
      @AlessandroSistiMusic 5 років тому +21

      Yeah, the kind of cake Galton was thinking about, as I've heard about this problem,
      (1) was typically eaten by one person
      (2) was eaten over multiple days
      (3) did not have icing
      For cutting a birthday cake that's mostly or all going to get eaten at once, the conventional way seems fine, given that none of 1-3 apply to modern birthday cakes.

    • @SMFrogPrincess
      @SMFrogPrincess 5 років тому +4

      @@AlessandroSistiMusic Exactly! The conventional way is the best way all the slices remain equal in size with equal amount of icing.

  • @apratimghosh109
    @apratimghosh109 10 років тому +486

    happy belated bday Brady

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  10 років тому +171

      Apratim Ghosh thanks

    • @korkiwi
      @korkiwi 10 років тому +170

      (AGAIN)

    • @apratimghosh109
      @apratimghosh109 8 років тому +2

      :D Thanks for replying!
      Saw it after a year...:)

    • @reign_zesati
      @reign_zesati 8 років тому +1

      Apratim Ghosh LOL NO WAY😂

    • @heliocentric1756
      @heliocentric1756 8 років тому +10

      His birthday was over two years ago

  • @Admiralty86
    @Admiralty86 9 років тому +130

    It's not genius, it's how I've always stolen slices of roomates pizza.

    • @daniellebarker7205
      @daniellebarker7205 7 років тому +5

      Admiralty86 "didn't I order an 18" pizza? This seems more like an 11" pizza"

  • @yahyakhan6433
    @yahyakhan6433 3 роки тому +15

    POV : you thought the 301 vid would be the most popular but realised its their least viewed vid lol

  • @NNOTM
    @NNOTM 10 років тому +195

    Why is this video so much more popular than most of numberphile's videos?

    • @Awgez24
      @Awgez24 10 років тому +17

      I wanted to look up different ways to cut a cake I dont want anything to do with pedophiles

    • @7dmtuk87
      @7dmtuk87 10 років тому +1

      Gezo Lol

    • @wanwoodtophat9760
      @wanwoodtophat9760 8 років тому +1

      Nnotm 100th like =P

    • @XxXgabbO95XxX
      @XxXgabbO95XxX 8 років тому +8

      That's the question i was trying to answer. Peole seems to be upset by the way he cuts the cake. Curious.

    • @AlrycaAeveaHexendias
      @AlrycaAeveaHexendias 7 років тому +4

      Nnotm Probably just UA-cam algorithm at work, recommending it to everyone for some reason.

  • @BeliasLP
    @BeliasLP 9 років тому +82

    having the taste of the old shitty rubberband around my cake is way worse then some dried up cake side....

    • @chu167
      @chu167 9 років тому +2

      +Official Officials You can't or else it can get dried because the rubber band squishes the pieces together so they keep moist, but if you do take it off it would be dried.

  • @hagamablabla
    @hagamablabla 9 років тому +302

    I'd cut the cake that way, but the rubber bands being cut makes me sad.

    • @derpman9932
      @derpman9932 9 років тому +34

      hagamablabla take of the band before cutting it. The only purpose of it is to keep the cake together during refrigeration.

    • @JorgetePanete
      @JorgetePanete 7 років тому +3

      hagamablabla make*

    • @apsiilencht74
      @apsiilencht74 5 років тому +2

      it was very upsetting

  • @manofthemoon1513
    @manofthemoon1513 3 роки тому +242

    Fun fact: The true number of views of a video about “301” will be much higher than the number of views of this video😂

    • @joshhirst8762
      @joshhirst8762 3 роки тому +8

      In the description of the 301 views video it says that the true number of views is just over 15 million, while this video has over 16 million views

    • @JohnDoeSteveAustin
      @JohnDoeSteveAustin 3 роки тому +6

      @@joshhirst8762 The last update is 8 month old, so it’s possible that in 8 months that video surpassed 16m views

    • @fryhyh
      @fryhyh 3 роки тому +4

      Look at the likes here compared to the 301 video lol

    • @chetankumar9463
      @chetankumar9463 3 роки тому +3

      In that video it was explained that views increase after one day. But in that views are still 301.why so??

    • @ChrisChras
      @ChrisChras 3 роки тому +1

      @@joshhirst8762 that was a while ago, so it obviously has more views by now lol. Especially people got that on their recommended.

  • @JasTheGoose88
    @JasTheGoose88 10 років тому +122

    That's also hiw you steal pizza without anyone noticing

  • @eatwelllivelonger6935
    @eatwelllivelonger6935 9 років тому +22

    This method works best for personal cakes that may take a while to finish. Nice that it keeps it moist. The traditional way works well with large groups who often eat majority or all of the cake right away.

  • @BinkieMcFartnuggets
    @BinkieMcFartnuggets 10 років тому +12

    If you ever see a really big birthday cake, resist all urges to cut it with a samurai sword because 9 times out of 10 there's a stripper in there.

  • @JMcMillen
    @JMcMillen 4 роки тому +68

    If you're that much of a loner that you have nobody to share your cake with, just make cupcakes. The icing on top and paper on the sides and bottom will protect the cake from going stale.

  • @UltraWindow
    @UltraWindow 10 років тому +9

    my life begins today, i finally know how to cut a cake and eat it. before i just had the cake.

  • @Keshaire
    @Keshaire 8 років тому +298

    No, it's fine. We Americans typically eat the entire cake in one sitting.

    • @prosincr
      @prosincr 8 років тому +5

      What kind of American are you?

    • @Keshaire
      @Keshaire 8 років тому +29

      Dilip Tien
      I represent all of America. North and South.

    • @Buskieboy
      @Buskieboy 8 років тому +5

      I thought American's ate PIE? As in Apple, with American Cheddar!

    • @Keshaire
      @Keshaire 8 років тому +15

      Buskieboy
      Pie is the main course, cake is just the appetizer.

    • @Keshaire
      @Keshaire 8 років тому +5

      Dritto1010
      That's because you prefer the appetizers over the main course, chap. Many of us are this way.

  • @kev3d
    @kev3d 10 років тому +200

    This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen in relation to cakes. Well done.
    No one eats a birthday cake one slice at a time since the purpose of a birthday cake is to enjoy it with family or friends. Secondly, the "correct" method does not yield equal slices, and "banding" the remaining halves together only works if the frosting is solid. If it is creamy, then you have a mess on your hands. Not to mention, rubber bands are not exactly sanitary.

  • @MarcusCactus
    @MarcusCactus 4 роки тому +41

    Thank you so much !!! Since Îve seen this, I cut my bread and my camembert (or Saint-Marcellin, or goat cheese) according to your cut and YES! it keeps fresh. (I live alone, bread and cheese last longer than a meal.)

  • @AndrewWilsonStooshie
    @AndrewWilsonStooshie 10 років тому +49

    That's a hopeless way to cut a cake.
    1. I've rarely seen a birthday cake that lasts beyond the 1st day.
    2. It gets extremely complicated if you want to give everyone the same sized slice (the only consideration if it's a child's birthday cake).

  • @acediamond5399
    @acediamond5399 10 років тому +27

    That's exactly what I thought of when you asked what would be a better cutting technique. Well, the first cut anyways. After that, I just figured to cut more slices parallel to the first one.
    Here's what's wrong with it though. You are increasing the ratio of icing to cake with every slice. If you cut radial wedges (the "classic" way) you get an equal ratio for every piece. But your method starts with very low icing-to-cake ratio (as the size of the cake approaches infinity, the ratio of the first slice's ratio approaches the ratio of the thickness of the icing to the thickness of the cake), and continuously increases as the cutting continues, approaching infinity.
    I don't want to get one of those final 4 pieces that tastes like icing, rubber, and human hands.

    • @Steelmage99
      @Steelmage99 10 років тому +2

      And....the issue of people getting progressively smaller and smaller pieces of cake cannot be over-looked either. :)
      Who most enjoy cake for their birthdays? Kids.
      Who is most concerned with fairness (in regard to distribution of cake)? Kids.

    • @acediamond5399
      @acediamond5399 10 років тому +2

      In this case, it can not only approach infinity, but actually reach infinity -- or more correctly, "undefined" -- as well. (The icing-to-cake ratio, that is; not the size of the cake.) If you are down to just a very small remainder of the cake, and you cut the center out so that there are only 4 thin, vertical strips of icing left, then the ratio becomes undefined/infinity.

    • @TCWordz
      @TCWordz 10 років тому +1

      Most cakes don't actually have icing all around though.
      The big issue is that it's hard to get the same size each time.

    • @acediamond5399
      @acediamond5399 10 років тому +2

      Tommy59375 Most cakes that I've seen do, in fact. The only ones I usually see that don't, are homemade ones that are kept in the pan until sliced.

  • @Kiki-cb3hl
    @Kiki-cb3hl 10 років тому +36

    How cute of you, thinking that there will be any cake left after my birthday! haahah

  • @Th3enp0fdlkmax3
    @Th3enp0fdlkmax3 3 роки тому +10

    Fun fact this is his most popular video but it's actually the one about 301 views

    • @doivid72
      @doivid72 3 роки тому

      yes, I was looking for this

  • @cybersphere
    @cybersphere 8 років тому +176

    The problem with this analysis is that it assumes there is any cake left to put into the fridge.

  • @DejaMiru
    @DejaMiru 9 років тому +329

    seriously.. have you heard of cling wrap? plastic wrap, glad wrap? a box with a lid?

    • @kulaice
      @kulaice 9 років тому +24

      +Declan Dias And a sheet of plastic wrap probably costs less than a bunch of rubber bands too.

    • @jonnusorsa
      @jonnusorsa 9 років тому +11

      +Declan Dias Original plastic wrap was invented 1943, way later.

    • @DejaMiru
      @DejaMiru 9 років тому +19

      yeah but the title suggests its something that should still be relevant. a scientific way to heighten efficiency or equal distribution etc. not simply to reduce the lowering of moisture. something which has been more effectively solved by introduction of other methods (which doesn't ruin equal distribution and things like that lol)

    • @KarstenOkk
      @KarstenOkk 8 років тому

      +jonnusorsa It's invented now

    • @DejaMiru
      @DejaMiru 8 років тому +1

      Nameguy did you not watch the video? he puts his hands all over the cake.. also the video doesnt show a method of not using rubber bands, hence completely irrelevant to my original comment.

  • @TheLaTasher
    @TheLaTasher 8 років тому +236

    The really UN-mathematical thing about this method is trying to evenly distribute individual slices to party guests. It'd be quite hard to give everyone an equal slice with this method. The traditional way suits me!

    • @5gonza541
      @5gonza541 5 років тому +2

      Siyovaxsh En-sipad-zid-ana It also didn’t say practical

    • @moondust2365
      @moondust2365 5 років тому +10

      @@5gonza541 It's both mathematical (sorta) and practical (kinda, but moreso than mathematical), but only if you buy the cake only for yourself without anyone else to eat it with and there's a bunch of leftovers.
      But if you're a normal person, you wouldn't have leftovers. Or you would have larger cake and guests to eat the cake with.

    • @bouipozz
      @bouipozz 4 роки тому +1

      I dont think there are guests...

    • @danielsev9217
      @danielsev9217 4 роки тому +2

      You could evenly distribute the cake provided you carefully select the invitation list. ;)

    • @jamesdlin7
      @jamesdlin7 4 роки тому

      It's hard to make equal slices with wedges too, which is why a typical solution to the fairness problem is to have one person cut and the other choose (for two people; there are more complicated rules for more people). I don't see why the same approach couldn't be used for this method.

  • @Pranav-rp8wi
    @Pranav-rp8wi 5 років тому +54

    1950s : We'll have flying cars by in the future..
    the future: scientific way to cut a cake.

    • @MatLCF
      @MatLCF 5 років тому +8

      Except that according to 1:28 the paper was published in 1906...

    • @kasajizo8963
      @kasajizo8963 5 років тому +2

      Zeus if you had bothered to watch the whole video, you would know that the method in the video was invented in 1906. The guy in the video hasn't invented the method. He's just educating us on an interesting piece of history.

  • @DanDubinsky
    @DanDubinsky 10 років тому +34

    I'm sorry but if your icing is strong enough to resist a rubber band sinking into it, you have more things to worry about than a couple of edges getting dry. Unless of course, you are using Royal Icing or fondant. And I've worked at a Bakery for over 6 years now, and rarely do I see a cake which isn't iced with buttercream icing. But hey, if you like your cake iced with sweet modeling clay, all the more power to you.

  • @Teamconquestplus
    @Teamconquestplus 10 років тому +134

    I think I'd rather have a partially dry cake than one that has been molested by unwashed hands and uncleaned factory rubber bands..

  • @boytheodore
    @boytheodore 9 років тому +158

    Many cakes are very soft that you cannot move two parts together after cutting, especially fruit cake and cream cake.

    • @dudeinoakland
      @dudeinoakland 2 роки тому +1

      You are correct.
      Cakes in the video have fondant icing. Most common types like a buttercream would be too soft.

  • @ROBOT_RAPHAREX
    @ROBOT_RAPHAREX 3 роки тому +48

    "Are you the most popular video of Numberphile"
    "Yesn't"

    • @mrsteffen4692
      @mrsteffen4692 3 роки тому

      this vid is probably mad to know it's less popular than a video with only 301 views...

  • @Chaonk
    @Chaonk 10 років тому +386

    Sorry guys. But I learned long ago that when it comes to food, it is best not to trust anyone with a British accent.

  • @RGVLove
    @RGVLove 9 років тому +471

    who eats a birthday cake alone.....
    also who gets the bigger pieces?! from what I figure the cake pieces get smaller each cut..

    • @mmeister8582
      @mmeister8582 9 років тому +22

      +RGV Love nop, u can do them thicker

    • @carultch
      @carultch 9 років тому +123

      +RGV Love
      You can use Calculus to determine where the cuts need to be for equal amounts of cake.

    • @Emile.gorgonZola
      @Emile.gorgonZola 9 років тому +22

      Champions eat birthday cakes alone.

    • @elizabethparnell4724
      @elizabethparnell4724 9 років тому +1

      +Dracolith1 You would use this method for storing the cake though, you wouldn't give out a cake from the day earlier at your party, hence the equal sharing with the pie method as it is all used at once

    • @3niknicholson
      @3niknicholson 9 років тому +13

      +RGV Love ...sad lonely maths freaks...

  • @BOBMAN1980
    @BOBMAN1980 10 років тому +7

    The only way this video succeeds is if it serves as a demonstration of how things in theory can easily be trumped by reality.

  • @DoiInthanon1897
    @DoiInthanon1897 2 роки тому +3

    True statement: This is NOT the most viewed Numberphile video.

    • @timepass6774
      @timepass6774 2 роки тому +3

      No way, you are telling 301 views is more then 16 million lol 😂

    • @9azodnwlm
      @9azodnwlm 2 роки тому +1

      @@timepass6774 yes

    • @AB3L30NE
      @AB3L30NE 2 роки тому +2

      Yep. That 301 views is more like 301 million views

  • @hotsistersue
    @hotsistersue 9 років тому +161

    So, you cut out the center and then put your filthy hands all over it and push it together. What if you have whipped cream frosting and not fondant? That could get messy.

    • @vijayvaddi1482
      @vijayvaddi1482 5 років тому +7

      that's what bothered me the most.

    • @anirvinvaddiyar7671
      @anirvinvaddiyar7671 5 років тому +1

      Just use the knife then

    • @olliefoxx7165
      @olliefoxx7165 5 років тому +7

      He was referencing material from the 1800's. Perhaps they didn't have whipped cream and also needed to make cake last longer. Being a rarity for most. Your point is valid though.

    • @mistercr0wbar400
      @mistercr0wbar400 3 роки тому

      Exactly. This is idiotic and I can't even wrap my head around how bored a smart person must be to think so stupidly.

    • @professorsogol5824
      @professorsogol5824 2 роки тому

      @@olliefoxx7165 May I remind you that Marie Antoinette died in 1792

  • @VanorstusTV
    @VanorstusTV 9 років тому +71

    just eat the cake all in one go, no dry bits.

  •  8 років тому +56

    That's the reason no one invites you to birthdays Bob

  • @zetizahara
    @zetizahara 6 років тому +1

    Watching this guy use this cutting method over and over made me feel really happy and I wasn't expecting that.

  • @NOLAMarathon2010
    @NOLAMarathon2010 10 років тому +69

    The original "bad" way ensures equal distribution of icing, provided that each slice subtends the same angle. In Alex's method, you can't ever just eat a single piece. You have to cut two pieces each time in order to squeeze the two halves back together. If you consume only a single piece, you have the same problem that one has with the original method.

    • @hanvyj2
      @hanvyj2 10 років тому +20

      Cut a piece that's half the width, twice the length? Cake volume is completely customisable, it might not look appealing though

    • @NOLAMarathon2010
      @NOLAMarathon2010 9 років тому +5

      ANameThatIsn'tMyOwn There's a logistics problem: a piece of cake that is 1/4" (6mm) wide can't be delivered to the plate without breaking apart. Furthermore, a piece with a high-surface-area-to-volume ratio will undergo air exchange very rapidly, losing flavor.

    • @hanvyj2
      @hanvyj2 9 років тому

      What's wrong with broken cake? It doesn't look appealing, hence my caveat :P.

    • @knugenavswarje734
      @knugenavswarje734 9 років тому

      ANameThatIsn'tMyOwn There will be barely any icing on it, though.

    • @malcolmsmith6380
      @malcolmsmith6380 9 років тому +1

      +Tom Nally Many people like myself don't eat just 1 small piece of 1 small cake unless it's to be polite in which case someone else will have the other slice. If it's a very large cake it's probably for a event/occasion of some kind and normally most of it will get eaten on the day so if I judged it right this would work well even for a large cake.

  • @thisiserk
    @thisiserk 10 років тому +375

    the real question is why are you eating your birthday cake alone?

  • @TankiGaming
    @TankiGaming 10 років тому +83

    Who cares it's not like my cake ever lasted 2 days...

    • @catiepartridge5383
      @catiepartridge5383 10 років тому +1

      If you had the amount of friends this guy apparently has, a cake can last weeks. (Although, I'd think in one sitting once he got depressed over having no friends, he could just eat the whole thing himself and at least one problem solved)

  • @gonzalojara398
    @gonzalojara398 3 роки тому +130

    Fun fact: This isn´t actually Numberphile´s most watched video.

    • @yahyakhan6433
      @yahyakhan6433 3 роки тому +16

      is it the 301 vid?

    • @user-el5vr8bi9j
      @user-el5vr8bi9j 3 роки тому +2

      @@yahyakhan6433 it really is the 301 video

    • @meysamkhan8801
      @meysamkhan8801 3 роки тому

      @@user-el5vr8bi9j nopes. The 301 views one has 15.1 mill veiws. Check the desc.

    • @MKTheGreat
      @MKTheGreat 3 роки тому +1

      @@meysamkhan8801 yeah, but the last update to that description was in January '21.

    • @asheep7797
      @asheep7797 3 роки тому +1

      @@meysamkhan8801 you do know they don’t update it daily

  • @simoncao5924
    @simoncao5924 9 років тому +36

    a cake you cant finish in 2 days is a cray cake

  • @EmperorTigerstar
    @EmperorTigerstar 10 років тому +348

    0:10 - 0:12 So...that means the cake is a lie?

    • @twofiftysix97
      @twofiftysix97 9 років тому +1

      You? Here? :D

    • @gorillaau
      @gorillaau 7 років тому

      EmperorTigerstar No, the cake is dry.

    • @prussia9255
      @prussia9255 7 років тому

      EmperorTigerstar Ayy emperor tiger star

    • @karanruparell2670
      @karanruparell2670 7 років тому

      EmperorTigerstar q

    • @franciscolozano6936
      @franciscolozano6936 6 років тому

      This is the best comment! the only reason I kept reading comments was to find something like this

  • @VulturHS
    @VulturHS 10 років тому +104

    But who would eat a cake alone?

  • @nathanaelsadgrove
    @nathanaelsadgrove 6 років тому +38

    Love the elastic band inefficiency 😂😂

  • @Face_RC
    @Face_RC 10 років тому +67

    Triangle wedges make it vastly simpler to make sure you cut enough equally sized pieces for everyone present.
    The cutting it out if the middle means each successive person gets less and less cake.
    Triangle wedges are superior.

  • @gaboper
    @gaboper 10 років тому +16

    Halfway mark of the video I was like, "Oh come on, tell us already how"
    Also, this is very impractical for cakes with with softer cream-like kind of icing. It's very messy to clump the pieces towards each other. I think the reason why we traditionally cut our cakes that way is to distribute the cake and icing evenly for each serving.
    I never encountered a cake in our house that'll last for that long anyway. Haha.

  • @paulflute
    @paulflute 10 років тому +78

    Invite friends to your party..
    eat ALL the cake..
    no problem..

  • @Zergeometer
    @Zergeometer 5 років тому +14

    I was expecting The Banach-Tarski paradox so you cut the cake into 5 pieces, and recombine them into 2 exactly same cakes as the original one.

  • @Violka1987
    @Violka1987 10 років тому +15

    So you want to cut it in a way so the exposed cut sides don't dry out- this problem NEVER happens in our household because we eat it all before it gets chance to dry out. And yes, we're all greedy fuckers in our house, thank you.

  • @McJuggerNuggets
    @McJuggerNuggets 10 років тому +5

    Can't say I'll ever cut it this way...My tummy doesn't know science.

  • @TumainiTiger1
    @TumainiTiger1 10 років тому +122

    ...or you could just wrap it in foil or clingfilm and cut it normally so its fair? otherwise you get huge slices at the start and mostly icing at the end :/

  • @zacharyalbright4222
    @zacharyalbright4222 6 років тому +1

    The look of the slice is not "satisfying " it's aesthetically pleasing.

    • @ShortScienceVideos
      @ShortScienceVideos 6 років тому

      Hey friends, I have just uploaded a video of using math formula to make a beating heart graph, check it out, its awesome. (: (:
      If you like it subscribe for more. (:

  • @VipulJain
    @VipulJain 10 років тому +6

    You go ahead and eat your cake mathematically, scientifically, with rubber bands and 1 feet long knives, I'll just wedge out like a normal person. Thank you!

  • @ArcadeFL
    @ArcadeFL 10 років тому +43

    Well I guess I dont have to worry about this.. because I will eat the whole cake in a day :D

  • @coisasnatv
    @coisasnatv 10 років тому +43

    Are you serious?
    Back in 1906 there was no tupperware containers, no plastic wrappers like Saran and not to say home refrigerators. If the issue is better ways to cut the cake to keep it fresh, there are better ways to do it with today technology.

    • @schradeya
      @schradeya 10 років тому +27

      What, you mean you're not down to chop your cake in half, give people different sized slices, mush your hands all over the cake, and utterly ruin anything not done in fondant? Come now, surely you recognize that this method is both scientific and superior! You must now recognize that your archaic plebeian method is wrong! [;)]

    • @SoundWaveTrax
      @SoundWaveTrax 10 років тому +1

      schradeya
      They should have uploaded this video on April 1st.

    • @keetrandling4530
      @keetrandling4530 7 років тому +3

      But there was butcher paper, cake or cookie tins, and brandy-soaked cheesecloth.
      This wasn't a problem for anyone who actually managed a kitchen, it was a hypothetical.

  • @EnLightEnd1111
    @EnLightEnd1111 5 років тому +2

    Hi there. ..I've got a solution to your "dry cake" issue..
    I used to work for desserts designs in Nashville. ..they specialize in specialty cakes so you can say this tip is from a credible source
    Simply take a slice of cling wrap and cover the exposed cake . .not the frosted top or sides. .. don't wrap the whole Cake in it ..you'll ruin the look of it. ..just flatten the cling wrap up against the exposed cake and stick it in the fridge. ..those edges will still be moist the next day and for days later.
    Also. ..you can't exactly place a rubber band around a cake that doesn't have fondant on it. ..without making a mess. ..nor can you push it in on itself. ..just cling wrap. ..it's easy no mess keeps it fresh

  • @nancyclaire65
    @nancyclaire65 10 років тому +101

    If the cake is getting eaten in one day it doesn't matter which of the two ways it gets cut..

    • @Melomathics
      @Melomathics 10 років тому +29

      What if someone chokes right before you cut his piece and dies, and the whole cake can't be eaten in one day anymore? I mean that can happen. And it even get worse the more people that choke and die before getting a piece...

    • @PTNLemay
      @PTNLemay 10 років тому +5

      sKebess
      The traditional way also makes sense in large groups because it's easier to cut equally sized pieces. With this new way you get progressively different sized slices. Which can lead to disputes!

    • @falconJB
      @falconJB 10 років тому

      PTNLemay Yes but this way you have a selection of different sized slices allowing everyone to take the one that best matches how much cake they want.

    • @chitranchakrabortty
      @chitranchakrabortty 9 років тому

      sKebess This made me laugh so freakin' hard xD

    • @ToveriJuri
      @ToveriJuri 9 років тому +1

      sKebess
      I don't see how that would stop the eating of the cake.

  • @EyelessEntity
    @EyelessEntity 9 років тому +16

    I wouldn't say this is the "right" way or even an efficient way of cutting cake.
    I have a sense that the rubber bands will not work on a cake with soft icing, such as whipped cream. Also, why would you leave food uncovered in the fridge in the first place? Have it covered by a lid or store it in a box or wrap it it plastic foil and it won't get dry so quickly.
    And is it really that bad if one side of a piece of cake is dry? That's like 1% of the cake that's dry. 99% of the piece is still fresh. Just shove that thing in your mouth.
    If you don't expect to eat it in one, two, or three days, eat/buy a smaller cake.
    I can go on and on, because I love cake, in lovely triangular pieces.

    • @rosysingh6699
      @rosysingh6699 5 років тому

      I love cake too! And the triangular pieces are awesome! 🎂💖🎂💖

  • @TheGreatNordini
    @TheGreatNordini 10 років тому +23

    Wow, I am gonna be so fun at parties after this...

    • @xericicity
      @xericicity 10 років тому +4

      I genuinely laughed, thank you.

  • @matthewweitzner8956
    @matthewweitzner8956 3 роки тому +2

    If someone had cut a cake like that in front of me before watching this video, I would have stopped talking to them.

  • @mrtemper85
    @mrtemper85 9 років тому +41

    I really think this is useless if you're having a cake that doesn't have a sugar cover. How would you wrap an elastic band around a chocolate cake? You'd make a mess and ruin the biscuit.

    • @Tomas-vx8gw
      @Tomas-vx8gw 9 років тому +5

      +mrtemper85 If you cut the cake in a perfect 90° slice, then there's no need to use the elastic band. It's just an additional detail he used for the video.

  • @XinhLe
    @XinhLe 8 років тому +6

    with love from Perth, Australia!

  • @gabrielhamoui6504
    @gabrielhamoui6504 4 роки тому +3

    Now the question is raised: is the cake infinite or not? If you keep on cutting the half out, the cake will never end... It’s a mathematical paradise! Infinite cake!!

    • @davidkonevky7372
      @davidkonevky7372 4 роки тому +3

      Mathematically yes, but practically not quite

  • @dilaragulbaglar919
    @dilaragulbaglar919 6 років тому

    I have an exam tomorrow and it's almost nighttime and I haven't studied yet and I am here now... Why am I like this

  • @Yamezzzz
    @Yamezzzz 9 років тому +27

    And then you have loads of icing at the end. Nothing's wrong with the normal way. Just cover it up or put it in a box to stop it getting dry! Who spends that long eating a cake anyway lol

  • @Treblaine
    @Treblaine 10 років тому +11

    I still love trolling bakers ordering portions of cake in Radians, they think I'm mad that you can make two Pi(e)s from a cake just by cutting it in half.

  • @newecreator
    @newecreator 10 років тому +7

    The rubber band technique would be awful on cakes that are not covered in fondant.

  • @trungmaximlowqualitygaming9427
    @trungmaximlowqualitygaming9427 3 роки тому +1

    Very useful when your friends argue about their piece of cake's volume is smaller than others

  • @Arthur-yf9yv
    @Arthur-yf9yv 5 років тому +18

    I think I'll keep doing it the old way. I just really like triangles.

  • @Tamlinsongs
    @Tamlinsongs 10 років тому +29

    Interesting. But most cake actually have mushy middle with all those cream and jam and won't hold up this way. Seems like it'd only work with those hard fruit cakes...and let's be honest, who likes fruit cakes anyway?

  • @seventhtry7209
    @seventhtry7209 5 років тому +10

    Bold of you to assume that the cake is going to last for so long

  • @EnchantedJewelzEmpire
    @EnchantedJewelzEmpire 3 роки тому +2

    Damnit! I just had a birthday! Now I have to wait an entire year to do this everyone.... And trust me, I WILL 😏

  • @BonzitheGonzo
    @BonzitheGonzo 10 років тому +81

    Who doesn't eat the whole cake at once? What the fuck...

  • @neurotoksin
    @neurotoksin 10 років тому +14

    You just gave me my OCD fix for the day! Thank you!

    • @Lucarioguild7
      @Lucarioguild7 10 років тому +1

      either way its not gonna be perfect one way you have one dry side but equal slices the other you have nice softness but all the pieces are different sizes.

    • @lolmaker777
      @lolmaker777 10 років тому +3

      Lucarioguild7 do some math and you can figure out where you would need to cut it for slices that are exactly the same size. (although the shape may be diverent)

    • @Lucarioguild7
      @Lucarioguild7 10 років тому

      he said that the slices got smaller as you used this method

    • @RFC3514
      @RFC3514 10 років тому +1

      OCD fix? Cutting a cake into _different_ slices? Your OCD is broken, mate.

  • @YipYapYoup
    @YipYapYoup 10 років тому +86

    Meh, it's only useful if you eat one slice a day, and you can just put some plastic wrap over it or something.

  • @annakonda3597
    @annakonda3597 4 роки тому +1

    In times of Corona it feels so wrong watching you touching the whole cake to close the cake gap.

    • @mariab.774
      @mariab.774 4 роки тому

      Francis Kaner Hahaha, I was thinking the same

  • @Raprada
    @Raprada 10 років тому +28

    Easiest solution : buy a square cake

    • @familyz118
      @familyz118 10 років тому

      Niceee! Hahaha

    • @drorbazer7531
      @drorbazer7531 9 років тому +12

      ***** Think outside of the circle!

  • @IcoKirov
    @IcoKirov 10 років тому +24

    or you know, you can wrap it up in something like nailon and keep it fresh. instead of wrapping it with rubber bands which are not very clean

  • @8o8inSquares
    @8o8inSquares 10 років тому +28

    A real man, don't cut the cake, they just crash his head into it and eats it!
    And then PICKS UP THE TABLE WITH THE CAKE AND SMASHES IT INTO HIS BEST FRIEND!

  • @sachinshilwal71
    @sachinshilwal71 4 роки тому +2

    Reason this video has so many views but not many likes is that after watching it everyone went to try this idea and buy a cake but ended up eating whole cake at once.