However You Slice It

Mrs. Anders, the algebra teacher, had asked the children to memorize pi to at least 5 places for Pi Day. If the whole class was able to do the task, they would have a pizza party on Friday. At the beginning of class Mrs. Anders handed out pages to everyone to silently write down what they memorized. When the papers were collected, she asked “Who could recite Pi?”

Mrs. Anders noticed everyone’s hand was up, including Jack. Jack wasn’t the best math student, and generally not a class participator. Curiously, she called him up front “Jack? Please come to the front of the class.” Jack rose from his chair and made his way to the teacher’s desk. A few of the other children giggled and snickered, receiving a no-nonsense glare from Mrs. Anders.

Jake stood awkwardly in front of the class and Mrs. Anders said “Go ahead.” Jack began, “Three tablespoons of flour, one teaspoon of cinnamon, four tablespoons melted butter…” Everyone started laughing and joking amongst themselves. “What’s wrong? Chubs can only think of food?” said a student in the back. “That’s the wrong kind of pie, stupid!” blurted Cynthia, the class snob and cynic.

“Cynthia!” retorted Mrs. Anders. “Everyone settle down,” she was starting to catch on. Gently she asked “Jake, can you write it on the board?” “Okay,” he replied sheepishly. Walking up to the chalk board he wrote:

3 tbsp. flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

4 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. nutmeg

5 tbsp. brown sugar

9 apples, peeled and cored

2 pastry pie shells

Some of the students were mumbling, still confused, while others and Mrs. Anders were smiling in surprise. “Wonderful! You’ve memorized Pi to 6 places. How did you do it?” she asked. “My grandma helped me. She always makes apple pies for my dad’s birthday on the 13th, one for just him and one for everyone. It’s not her actual recipe but she made me write it down and gather only those amounts of ingredients, so I’d remember by doing. “”Excellent work!” exclaimed Mrs. Anders, “you’ve just earned your class their pizza party.” Jake smiled to the applause of his classmates.