Copyright © University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
'Three Blind Mice' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
Answer: $\frac8{27}$
Using a diagram
first mouse eats $\frac13$
2 pieces left
second mouse eats $\frac13$ of the 2 pieces
split each piece into 3 - each piece $\frac19$
4 pieces left
third mouse eats $\frac13$ of the 4 pieces
split each piece into 3 - each piece $\frac1{27}$
8 pieces left
Direct calculation
After the first mouse has eaten, $\frac{2}{3}$ of the cheese remains.
After the second mouse has eaten, $\frac{2}{3}$ of $\frac{2}{3}$, that is $\frac{4}{9}$, of the cheese remains.
Finally, after the third mouse has eaten, $\frac{2}{3}$ of $\frac{4}{9}$, that is $\frac{8}{27}$ of the cheese remains.