Ask the Algorithm: I Cut, You Choose
An advice-column letter answered by an algorithm: i cut, you choose.
Content note: Divorce/custody satire.
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Free for classrooms, worksheets, slides and other non-commercial use under CC BY-NC 4.0, with credit to Ben Orlin.
Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2025-07-29-ask-the-algorithm--ask-the-algorithm-i-cut-you-choose/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)Transcript
"Dear Algo, My ex and I share four kids. Three years after the divorce, we're still bickering over the custody arrangement. Is it time to get lawyers involved again? –Divorced in Delaware" / "Dear Divorced: No need for lawyers. There is an easy fair sharing algorithm: 'I cut, you choose.' First, one of you should partition the children into two sets that they deem equally valuable; then the other parent chooses whichever set they prefer. This should eliminate all acrimony." [Set 1 (single high-value child) · Set 2 (several lower-value children)]