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Pint-Sized Science: Number Magic
By Sandy Fleming

Many people don't realize it, but numbers are a big part of science. Numbers also can be studied in their own right. The number system has rules and patterns that can be used to perform some amazing tricks. This sort of number play can help intrigue a student with math, and can even provide a social boost as the child takes these activities and tricks and uses them to amuse and confound friends.

In order to do these tricks independently, your child will need to be proficient at the basic operations of math: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It would be quite embarrassing to try a math trick in front of friends and mess up because of a computation error! Younger or less experienced kids can also use calculators if you wish.

Try these mathematical marvels!

Unlucky Numbers:
Choose any number with less than eight digits. Double it, then add 15. Multiply the answer by 3 and add 33 more. Now, divide by 6 and subtract the original number. The answer will always be 13!

Subtraction Predictions:
Pick a three-digit number whose digits are in reverse counting order, like 987 or 432. Write it down. Now, reverse that number and write it below the first. Subtract the lesser number from the greater. The answer will always be 198.

You can do the same trick with 4-digit numbers (like 8765) and the answer will always be 3087.

These tricks can be fun mind-reading games. Magicians can write predictions of the answers down ahead of time, or solve the problems faster than friends can type them into a calculator.

Mind-Reading Magic:
Use five pieces of paper. Write the number 1 on one side of a piece and 2 on the other side. Write a 3 on one side of the next paper and a 4 on the other side of that. Write 5 and 6 in the same way on the third paper, 7 and 8 on the fourth paper, and 9 and 10 on the fifth. Ask a friend to lay out all five cards with either side facing upwards and tell the magician (who has eyes closed!) how many odd numbers are visible. The magician will be able, without looking, to tell the total of the visible numbers! How? All he or she needs to do is subtract the number of odd numbers visible from 30. For example, if the numbers showing are 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, there are two odd numbers showing (3 and 9). The total of 2+3+6+8+9 is 28, and 30-2 odd numbers is also 28!

You'll find other math tricks galore in your local library or bookstore. Some books to check out include Mathemagic by Raymond Blum from Sterling Publishing Company, The Magical Math Book by Bob Longe, and Math Magic: Slick Tricks with Numbers by Margaret Thomas. Websites that focus on math also abound! Check out these gems for more mathematical fun and games:

http://www.eduplace.com/index.html

http://www.aaamath.com

http://www.coolmath.com

Sandy Fleming is an educator, author and workshop facilitator. She resides in southern Michigan with her husband and three daughters. Sandy leads workshops for daycare providers and parents in the region, tutors students, volunteers for Girl Scouts and her church, and teaches online classes for adults and children. She loves to make new friends, so please drop her an e-mail at kids@busyparentsonline.com

 
 
 

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