Which is a better buy? A large pizza with a 16 -inch diameter for \( \$ 15.00 \) or a medium pizza with an 8 -inch diameter for \( \$ 7.50 \) ?

To determine which pizza is a better buy, we need to calculate the area of each pizza and then find the cost per square inch. The area of a pizza is given by the formula \( A = \pi r^2 \), where \( r \) is the radius. For the large pizza (16-inch diameter), the radius is 8 inches. Area = \( \pi (8^2) = 64\pi \) square inches. Cost per square inch = \( \frac{15.00}{64\pi} \approx 0.074 \). For the medium pizza (8-inch diameter), the radius is 4 inches. Area = \( \pi (4^2) = 16\pi \) square inches. Cost per square inch = \( \frac{7.50}{16\pi} \approx 0.149 \). The large pizza at about 0.074 per square inch is the better buy! If you love pizza, check out fascinating facts about its history! Pizza originated in Naples, Italy, in the late 18th century. Initially, it was a dish for the poor, topped simply with tomatoes and cheese. Fast forward to today, it’s a global favorite with toppings that span from traditional pepperoni to quirky choices like pineapple! Now, let's talk about that classic problem: overthinking pizza sizes! Many people mistakenly choose smaller pizzas, thinking they save money when, in fact, the price per square inch often reveals that getting a larger pizza is a better deal! Always calculate the areas and make your pizza party even tastier!