How many flakes will it take roughly to go around a 12 inch cake?

It's impossible to say exactly how many flakes it will take to go around a 12-inch cake without knowing:

* The size of the flakes: Are they big, small, or somewhere in between?

* The shape of the flakes: Are they round, square, or irregular?

* How much overlap you want: Do you want them to touch or be spaced apart?

Here's how to approach the problem:

1. Measure the circumference of the cake: The circumference is the distance around the cake. You can calculate it using the formula: Circumference = π * diameter. For a 12-inch cake, the circumference is approximately 37.7 inches.

2. Estimate the length of a flake: Take a few of the flakes and measure them.

3. Divide the circumference by the average flake length: This will give you a rough estimate of how many flakes you'll need.

Example:

* Let's say your flakes are about 1 inch long.

* Divide the circumference (37.7 inches) by the flake length (1 inch): 37.7 / 1 = 37.7 flakes.

Important Considerations:

* Overlap: If you want the flakes to overlap, you'll need more than this initial estimate.

* Spacing: If you want space between the flakes, you'll need less.

* Edge Flakes: You'll likely need extra flakes for the edges and corners of the cake.

It's best to start with a little more than you think you'll need and adjust as you go.