Maths magic


with Johnny Ball


Maths tricks are a great way of impressing your family


and friends. I love


how just by playing


with numbers I can make my friends go ‘Wow!’ and beg me to tell them how a trick works.


The trick opposite is one of my favourites and works every time! Why not try it out on your friends this summer? Watch out for their expressions because I think they’ll definitely be amazed!


In 2000 illusionist David Blaine spent 63 hours encased in a block of ice in New York City’s Times Square!


30 www.puffinpost.co.uk


Magic number trick Write down the word nine on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope


Give the envelope to a friend telling them not to open it


Hand your friend a calculator and ask them to key in the last two numbers of their phone number


Add the number of pound coins in their purse, wallet or pocket


Add their age Add the number of their house


Subtract the number of brothers and sisters they have Subtract 12


Ask them to add their favourite number


Multiply the answer by 18


Ask them to add up all the digits in the answer


If the answer is more than one digit long, ask them to add up the digits again. Carry on until there’s only one digit, which will be 9


Brrr... I hope he was wearing his hat and mittens!


Finally, tell your friend to open the envelope and read out the number! They’ll be amazed!


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