Magic with Numbers

As a liberal arts major, mathematics has long been the bane of my existence. I'm a word guy, not a numbers guy, so I thought that mathematical tricks were lame - nothing more than puzzles, not magic.

That is, until I met a fellow at a recent Abbott's convention - a retired math teacher named Jim Snapp. Jim has channeled his passion for math into the conjuring realm, and presented several fascinating effects based on numbers.

If he ever decides to write a magic/math book (he's written math textbooks), I'll be the first one to snap up a copy - but until that day, we've got several mathemagic tricks for you.

Number Mystery Outdone by Royal Magic: An improved version of a classic trick. The spectator is shown six cards. Unlike older versions of this trick, BOTH SIDES of the cards are freely displayed. Using the cards and a the magician's superior mental ability, it is a simple matter to tell the spectator their age, how much change they have in their pocket, or what number they're thinking of. This trick is also customizable with your logo!

Self Working Number Magic by Karl Fulves: Clear instructions for 101 tricks and problems, many based on important math principles. Calculations have been concealed; tricks are carefully streamlined for quick understanding and flawless performance. Master such number phenomena as Lightning Calculations, Giant Memory, Magic Squares, nearly 100 more.

Mathemagic by Royal Vale Heath: More than 60 new puzzles and stunts based on the properties of numbers. Easy techniques for multiplying large numbers mentally, identifying unknown numbers, determining the date of any day in any year, interest rates worked in one’s head; such entertainments as The Lost Digit, and Psychic Bridge; over 30 pages of magic squares, triangles, cubes, much more.

Forcing Pad by Vernet: Perhaps not exactly math-based, this is a cool item to force a number for an impossible prediction routine. You receive a hand made black leather note pad with brass corner pieces, embossed, containing a pad of plain papers. A pencil is attached and also fits inside.

With this innocent-looking pad, you can perform different and amazing effects, for example: You show an envelope and say that inside is a prediction. You ask different spectators to write numbers on the pad, one under the other. You don't even have to see the numbers; someone else totals them together and you ask a member of the audience to open the envelope to show that it matches the total! Designed to fit easily in your jacket pocket.