Mathemagics.

T'ai Chi · 26th September 2003, 12:50 AM

Anyone have any good references to magic done based on mathematical principles?

Garrette · 26th September 2003, 04:52 AM

There are usually some sprinkled throughout most standard magic books, but if you want something solely or largely on that, I think (though I could be wrong) that you'll have success with one or more Karl Fulves (Fulve?) books. Look up his "Self-Working...Tricks" series. No promises, though. It's been a long while.

LFTKBS · 26th September 2003, 04:27 PM

Every one of your posts, T'ai.

rustypouch · 26th September 2003, 04:35 PM

I like the one in Penn and Teller's "How to Play in Traffic."

It fooled Einstein, it will fool your brainy friends too.

T'ai Chi · 27th September 2003, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LFTKBS
Every one of your posts, T'ai.

Yeah? Sweet. I've been practicing.

I've been reading up on tricks lately that use the 'digital root' to accomplish their effects, and also some tricks that enable you to add up several chosen 5 digit numbers in less than 5 seconds, etc. Those type of tricks.

Kinda geeky, but baffling to a lot of people.

Brown · 27th September 2003, 08:25 PM

Martin Gardner (Scientific American's long-time "Mathematical Games" columnist) has written several books on magic that use math principles.

Brown · 28th September 2003, 09:48 PM

The book "Scarne on Card Tricks," discussed elsewhere in the Conjuring section, includes many tricks based upon mathematical principles. Some of the principles are, in my judgment, easy to figure out (if not obvious), but some of the tricks are quite clever.

T'ai Chi · 4th October 2003, 06:07 PM

I don't know what this trick is called, but a (very kind and funny!) mathematician named Edward Burger came to my university a few years ago to give some talks on mathematics. In one of the presentations, he handed out some cards. On these cards were numbers from 1 to about 60. You selected a number, kept it to yourself, and he'd ask you for the cards that number appeared on. He then instantly told you what number you selected.

I know how the trick works (not a new trick), but was wondering if anyone else knew of this trick or the name of the trick.

It is like the "Magic Cards" trick here:

http://www.10ticks.co.uk/magic.asp

26th September 2003, 12:50 AM	#1
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,233	Mathemagics. Anyone have any good references to magic done based on mathematical principles?

26th September 2003, 04:52 AM	#2
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	There are usually some sprinkled throughout most standard magic books, but if you want something solely or largely on that, I think (though I could be wrong) that you'll have success with one or more Karl Fulves (Fulve?) books. Look up his "Self-Working...Tricks" series. No promises, though. It's been a long while.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927

26th September 2003, 04:27 PM	#3
LFTKBS Muse Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 977	Every one of your posts, T'ai.
LFTKBS Muse Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 977

27th September 2003, 08:25 PM	#6
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	Martin Gardner (Scientific American's long-time "Mathematical Games" columnist) has written several books on magic that use math principles.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

28th September 2003, 09:48 PM	#7
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	The book "Scarne on Card Tricks," discussed elsewhere in the Conjuring section, includes many tricks based upon mathematical principles. Some of the principles are, in my judgment, easy to figure out (if not obvious), but some of the tricks are quite clever.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

26th September 2003, 04:35 PM	#4
rustypouch Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary... Posts: 2,585	I like the one in Penn and Teller's "How to Play in Traffic." It fooled Einstein, it will fool your brainy friends too.

27th September 2003, 12:27 AM	#5
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,233	Quote: Originally posted by LFTKBS Every one of your posts, T'ai. Yeah? Sweet. I've been practicing. I've been reading up on tricks lately that use the 'digital root' to accomplish their effects, and also some tricks that enable you to add up several chosen 5 digit numbers in less than 5 seconds, etc. Those type of tricks. Kinda geeky, but baffling to a lot of people.

4th October 2003, 06:07 PM	#8
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,233	I don't know what this trick is called, but a (very kind and funny!) mathematician named Edward Burger came to my university a few years ago to give some talks on mathematics. In one of the presentations, he handed out some cards. On these cards were numbers from 1 to about 60. You selected a number, kept it to yourself, and he'd ask you for the cards that number appeared on. He then instantly told you what number you selected. I know how the trick works (not a new trick), but was wondering if anyone else knew of this trick or the name of the trick. It is like the "Magic Cards" trick here: http://www.10ticks.co.uk/magic.asp