Ethan, a three year old, asks his mom to cut a pizza pie into twelve rather than eight pieces because he is "really hungry." on the basis of this example, it is most appropriate to conclude that ethan

Understanding of conservation  is not present

Explanation:

Understanding the conservation is defined as the ability to recognize that anything remains the same in quantity even on redistribution of that thing. Change in appearance of the element does not change or affect the volume ,mass, weight, quantity of it.

According to the question, Ethan does not have the understanding of conservation . He does not understand that splitting the pizza into 12 pieces instead of 8 slices would not increase the quantity of pizza so that his hunger can be fulfilled.      

when your a dog and you need a bone.   go and eat a rabbit