The Coin in the Cake

In many Greek households, one of the highlights of New Year’s Day is the cutting of St. Basil’s cake.

Mathematician Stan Wagon cuts a St. Basil’s cake that has had a quarter baked into it. What is the probability that a knife cut strikes the quarter? Photo by Ruth Dover

Made from flour, eggs, butter, sugar, orange flavoring, and other ingredients, this special round cake also contains a surprise—a foil-wrapped coin.