How to Read Someone's Mind Using Math (Math Tricks)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Mathematics is governed by an immutable set of principles. If you always follow the same procedure, you will always get the same result. However, using math in magic tricks is more of an art than a science; obviously you won't be able to literally read someone's mind, but if you follow the procedure carefully you can impress your friends by guessing their answer without them telling you!

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Tricks for Reading Thought

Step 1. Find an available partner

You have to have someone available, who you want to surprise, and who has a few minutes to devote to makeup. It is also better to go to a quiet place, as any interruption could ruin everything.

Step 2. Ask your interlocutor to choose an integer between one and ten

In theory it could choose any real number, but it is better to narrow it down for simplicity. It is never easy to do math with large numbers, so we will avoid decimal or fractional values.

Step 3. Impress your friend with the "Ends in 3" trick

This is a great game to start with, as it is one of the simplest. It's pretty funny and able to wow your audience, so just follow the instructions that follow to the letter and make everyone wonder how you guessed:

1. Ask your interlocutor to multiply the number he or she has chosen by 2.
2. Ask him to multiply the result by 5.
3. Now he has to divide the value he found by the number he chose at the beginning.
4. Ask him to subtract 7 from the quotient.
5. "Guess" the answer! If the steps were performed correctly, the result obtained should always be 3.

6. Enjoy the spectacle of the astonished expression of your interlocutor.

   For example, if your friend has chosen the number 3, you will have: 3x2 = 6; 6x5 = 30; 30/3 = 10; 10-7 = 3

   

   Step 4. Play the "Half Division" game

   This trick is slightly more complex, but it's perfect for leaving your friends wowed. This time you have to pick a number too, so prepare an even number before you start. When your interlocutor has chosen his number, lead him through this series of operations:

   1. Ask him to multiply his number by 2.
   2. Choose an even number that you will use and ask your friend to add it to the product he found without revealing the result.
   3. At this point he must divide the sum by 2.
   4. Ask him to subtract the starting number from the quotient he just found.

   5. "Guess" the number. This time the correct answer should be half of the even number you originally chose.

      For example, if you choose the number 10 and your friend the number 3, the calculations are: 3x2 = 6; 6 + 10 = 16; 16/2 = 8; 8-3 = 5; 5 is half of 10

      

      Step 5. Now you can truly amaze all your friends with the "13 is the Lucky Number" trick

      This beautiful game is based on the unique property of multiples of 9. It is essential that the interlocutor choose a value between 1 and 10. When ready, ask him to do the following:

      1. Ask him to multiply his number by 9.
      2. Now he has to add the first digit of the product with the second of the product. If the product has only one digit (i.e. 9) it must add the value 0.
      3. Ask him to add 4 to the new number he found.
      4. "Guess" the answer. Each time it will always be 13.

      5. Watch with amusement as your friend begins to question everything he thought he knew about math.

         If your friend has chosen the number 3, the sequence of operations is: 3x9 = 27; 2 + 7 = 9; 9 + 4 = 13

         

         Step 6. Make your performance more elegant

         Although the most important part is to respect the correct sequence of operations, you are still putting on a magic trick and the magic needs some style. Try to present the game in a safe and theatrical way so that everyone can have fun.

         You don't need a wizard costume, but it could come in handy to make people believe you have supernatural powers

         Part 2 of 2: Knowing the Mathematical Principles

         

         Step 1. Remember that some parts of the trick are only effects to confuse your interlocutor

         Much of a magician's job is to distract the audience with unnecessary information and passages. Most of the time, the mechanical principle behind every trick involves getting your friend to subtract his starting number from the result of an equation. Once the variable is removed, you have full control over the result of the equation itself.

         

         Step 2. Recognize unique patterns and the occurrence of always identical situations in mathematics

         The reason why the "13 is the Lucky Number" trick works is that the first ten multiples of 9 (i.e. 9; 18; 27 and so on) behave in a specific way: by adding the digits together, you always gets 9. Although this is a typical property of multiples of 9, it is always impressive, especially if your friend is awake and quickly realized that the goal of the above tricks is to get rid of the number of his choice.

         

         Step 3. Remember that each answer depends on constant information in the equation

         You can enter as many unnecessary sums and subtractions as you want in the process, to make it more complex and "spectacular" as long as you can cancel the variable chosen by your friend. The "Ends with 3" trick can be modified to arrive at different solutions.

         

         Step 4. Try to come up with some math tricks

         Once you have mastered these "math magic" tricks, you can even invent some new ones. While they can also be very complex, depending on your wishes, it is always worth starting with something simple and then perfecting the technique and making it more complicated as you go. Beginners should use a model similar to that of the "Ends with 3" game and change the values of the constants to create a new equation. At this point you will be able to create new, more creative ways to undo the variable introduced by the interlocutor.

         Don't forget to come up with a coherent presentation as well. The audience wants to have fun and be entertained, the way you distract and confuse them is just as important as the makeup itself

         Advice

         • If you want to perform this trick with a small child, keep a calculator handy, because the young interlocutor may have some difficulty making all the calculations in mind, with the risk that he will give you the wrong answer and thus ruin the final effect..
         • A true wizard never reveals his secrets, but if your friends are harassing you to learn the truth, you can always tell them to read this article!