Mathematical Magic is exactly what its name implies – entertaining tricks, stunts, and effects that can be performed using numbers or objects, such as calendars and playing cards based on numerical principles. These tricks are amazingly simple and require only a few additional props, such as string, coins, or matches, nothing elaborate or professional. With a little practice and some patter, any amateur can put on a performance like a real professional.
The fascinating properties of numbers and the strange coincidences connected with them have been the subject of many books, and mathematical puzzles in endless variety are an inexhaustible source of amusement to everyone who likes brain-twisters. This ebook goes a step beyond such puzzles by using numerical peculiarities for ingenious and baffling entertainment.
Foreword
Chapter 1. Magic with Numbers
The Multi-Player
A Matter of Age
The Fibonacci Series
Finding a Number
The Cycloid
The Numbers Game
Chapter 2. The Magic of Shape
The Moebius Strip
The Tabor Handkerchiefs
The Jumping Rubber Band
The Linking Clips
The Shoe Laces
Houdini’s Coat Escape
Rope Monte
Chapter 3. Calendar Magic
Horizontal Figuring
Vertical Figuring
Squares and Blocks
Rectangles
The Birthday Paradox
Days and Dates
Date Choice
Stover’s Prediction
Any Day Called For
Chapter 4 Mental Magic
Variation on a Theme
Hand-Writing Divination
Think of a Card
Canar’s Think of a Card
Red, White, and Blue
The Book Test
Hummer’s Three Object Divination
Chapter 5 Magic Squares
The Basic Square
Odd-Cell Squares
Even-Cell Magic Squares
Applications of Standard Magic Squares
Set Squares
Their Move
Costello’s Tic Tac Toe
Chapter 6 Magic with Ordinary Objects
Dinner Ware
Avis’ Variation
Personality Test
A Matchical Experiment
Out Of Time
One To Eight
Time and Money
Chapter 7 Magic with Playing Cards
The Mathemagician
Relatively Speaking
Two Hummer Gems
The Spirit Mathematician
The College Bet
Counter Cards
The Four Queens
