Math problem for chefs

[snousle]

A chef has received a shipment of button mushrooms that is unusually variable in size. Assume the mean size of each mushroom is 30g, with a standard deviation of 10g. In order to use these mushrooms, the chef wishes to either leave them whole, cut them in halves, or cut them in quarters, depending on their size. Devise a cutting strategy that minimizes the standard deviation of the size of the resulting pieces.

Comments

[oscarlikesbugsy.livejournal.com]

strategy, apart from hiring a dextrous sous chef?

Cut the little buttons in half. It increases the surface area, so they can absorb more BUTTER. Cut the big ones in quarter, using trained eye to spot those 40g+.