Maximizing Your Pizza Night: Why Bigger Be Better Than More
Picture this: It’s game night, and the squad is hungry. The natural move? Order pizza! But soon, someone asks the age-old question: “Should we get one large pizza or two mediums?” It sounds like a no-brainer. Two medium pizzas should logically give more food, right? After all, two pizzas like twice the fun!
Well, math says otherwise, and it’s not just a little surprising—it’s mind-blowing. Thanks to a Twitter post from Fermat’s Library, pizza lovers everywhere are rethinking their strategies. The post breaks down the numbers with simple math. It shows that one 18-inch pizza delivers more food than two 12-inch pizzas.
If you’ve ever had to make this decision for a group, buckle up. Understanding this little-known fact change the way you order pizza forever.
Breaking It Down with Math
We need to think of pizzas not just as food but as circles. The amount of pizza you get is determined by area, not diameter. If we treat each pizza as a circle, we can use the formula for the area of a circle:
Area = π × (radius²)
This is where the real magic happens. When you increase the radius of a pizza, the area grows exponentially. That’s why a bigger pizza can deliver a surprising amount of extra food compared to smaller ones. Let’s look at the numbers:
- For one 18-inch pizza:
Radius = 9 inches
Area = π × (9²) = 254.5 square inches - For two 12-inch pizzas:
Radius = 6 inches
Area of one pizza = π × (6²) = 113.1 square inches
Total area of two = 113.1 × 2 = 226.2 square inches
So there you have it: the 18-inch pizza gives you 28.3 more square inches of cheesy goodness than two 12-inch pizzas. That’s like getting a whole extra slice for free!
Why We Always Assume Two is Better
The confusion arises because we focus on the number of boxes when we think about two pizzas versus one. We do this instead of considering the actual amount of food inside. It’s easy to assume that two smaller pizzas must deliver more because they multiply your options. After all, more boxes mean more fun, right? This is where the geometry wins out. It’s not about how many pizzas you order. It’s about how much pizza you’re getting in total.
When you compare surface areas, a single larger pizza wins almost every time, especially when the size difference is significant. With the 18-inch pizza, you’re maximizing the amount of food per bite. You also get more toppings per slice, with less crust taking up valuable real estate.
Big Pizza Energy: Why One Large Pizza Makes More Sense
Beyond just getting more food, ordering one large pizza has several other perks:
- More Toppings, Less Crust
Let’s face it—nobody fights over the crust unless there’s dipping sauce. With one large pizza, you get more toppings and cheesy goodness in every bite. A smaller proportion of the pizza is taken up by crust, meaning more deliciousness for everyone. - Easier for Sharing
One large pizza keeps things simple. Everyone can grab slices from the same pie, which eliminates the awkward math of dividing multiple pizzas unevenly. It’s perfect for communal eating and saves time debating over who gets which pie. - Eco-Friendly Choice Fewer boxes mean less waste. If you care about reducing your environmental impact, you should order one large pizza. This will also help reduce your pile of pizza boxes. A single box takes up less space in your recycling bin, and it’s a small way to reduce packaging waste.
- Better Bang for Your Buck
Larger pizzas often give more food per dollar. Many pizzerias offer better value deals on larger pies. You save money in the process.
The Psychology of Pizza Ordering
It’s also interesting to think about the psychology behind why people often gravitate toward ordering multiple pizzas. When we see two items versus one, our brain associates more quantity with better value. But, as the math shows, this intuition can be misleading. Pizza sizes don’t grow linearly—they grow exponentially.
This is why one large pizza isn’t just comparable—it’s actually better than ordering two mediums in most cases. The 18-inch pizza provides both greater quantity and quality, with more toppings and fewer interruptions by crust.
When Does It Make Sense to Order Multiple Mediums?
Of course, there are some situations where two medium pizzas make sense. If you’re ordering for a group with different preferences, getting multiple smaller pies can offer more variety. You get one pepperoni and one veggie, for example. Similarly, if your friends want to try a range of specialty pizzas, ordering two mediums be the better choice. But if you’re simply looking to maximize food quantity, go big or go home.
Final Slice: Let the Math Guide You
The next time you’re faced with the decision of one large vs. two mediums, remember the math. A single 18-inch pizza will give you more pizza per bite than two 12-inch pizzas. It’s the smart choice for both your wallet and appetite—and maybe even the planet.
The next time your friends gather for a movie marathon or a game night, you can impress them. Share your newfound pizza knowledge with them. When the debate inevitably arises, you can confidently say, “The math doesn’t lie—we’re getting the 18-inch!”
Who knew pizza ordering teach us a lesson in geometry? Now, go forth and make the most of your pizza night—armed with math and delicious toppings!
Source:
- https://youtu.be/OYruHKk4mLE?si=RXWVTxN7cRx63o2x
- https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/2-medium-pizzas-vs-1-large/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://readloud.net/
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