Doing magic with math is one of the ways I try to add interest to my math lessons.
Like all magic, some people just love to be impressed by the trick while others love to find out how you did it.
So you can choose to keep the logic/reasoning a mystery or choose to let your class discuss the reasons behind it.
Either way, your goal of sparking some interest and fun is successful!
In this post I wouldn’t be doing math magic trick with cards, instead, everything can be done verbally.
Disclaimer: I’m not the genius that came up with these Magic Tricks! These 3 magic math are what I chose among many others to use with my class.
Trick 1: 2 Is Always The Answer
Step 1: Ask your student to think of a number.
For example, 15.
Step 2: Multiply it with three.
15 x 3 = 45
Step 3: Add 6 to this number.
45 + 6 = 51
Step 4: Divide it with three.
51 / 3 = 17
Step 5: Subtract the number chosen in step 1 with step 4.
17–15= 2
The answer will always be 2.
Trick 2: Get 37 With 3 Identical Digits Number
Step 1: Think of any three-digit number in which each of the digits is the same. Examples include 333, 666, 777, and 999.
Step 2: Add up the digits.
For example, 3 + 3 + 3 = 9
Step 3: Divide the three-digit number by the answer in Step 2.
333 / 9 = 37
The answer is 37.
Trick 3: Get That 1089!
Step 1: Choose any 3 different digits number.
For example, 132.
Step 2: Rearrange the digits in descending order to get your 1st number.
321
Step 3: Rearrange the digits in ascending order to get your 2nd number.
123
Step 4: Subtract the 2nd number from the 1st number, which will give us the Difference.
321 – 123 = 198
Step 5: Now flip the order of digits of the Difference, from right to left.
891
Step 6: Add both the numbers.
198 + 891 = 1089!
Variation: Ask your students if you change the following variables, can this magic still work. Ask them to prove to you why it can or cannot work.
- Bigger or smaller than 3 digits
- Identical digits
Conclusion
With the above math tricks up your sleeves, you no longer need to wonder what to do during brain breaks or when your students are bored!
If your students are really crazy about magic tricks for math, ask them to come up with one on their own! Alternatively, ask them to do research and share it with their partner the next day.
Related Read: 7 Teacher Math Jokes To Have A Great Laugh On Summer Break
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