Maths, magic and mystery

Chris Budd

Who likes magic?

We like magic because Its mysterious Its dramatic It has an element of surprise

It has glamour and excitement! This seems a bit different from a logical and rational subject like maths!

But an even more mysterious fact is Maths is a highly creative subject full of mystery and surprises

Most people dont realise this!

Maths is the study of abstract objects and the patterns that link them together

Links are called theorems

They are often deeply amazing, mysterious,beautiful and very, very useful!

Some amazing theorems

c

Pythagoras

a b c
2 2

a
Gregory

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ... 4 3 5 7 9 11 13

Euler

e 1

Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates their mystery and beauty Some people are even scared of maths!

But most people like magic, art and storytelling!

By linking maths to magic, art and storytelling we can unlock some of its mysteries Theorems can lead to some great magic tricks!!!

Some Mathematical Magic Tricks

Clocks Cards Mind reading

A bit of mind reading

1 2 3 4 9 18 27 36 9 9 9 9 4 4 4 4

5
6 7

45
54 63

9
9 9

4
4 4

8
9

72
81

9
9

4
4

The Clock Trick

Theorem:

y (y x) = x x

Mystery number is

Total number of taps is 21 x

After 8 random taps we have 13 x

Number we get to from the top is

13 (13 x)
Rearrange 13 (13 x) = x

Wheres the Joker?

10 11 1 2 9 9

12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19

3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9
9 9 9 9 9 9 9

The Cards who Know Their Names

3 8 7 A Q 6 4 2 J K 10 9 5

W O

2
2

T
F

H
I

R
V

E
E

E
5

10

21 Card Trick 1 4 7 10 13 16 19 2 5 8 11 14 17 20 3 6 9 12 15 18 21

Row is given by round up (x/3) New position by f(x) = 7 + round up (x/3)

10

2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8
8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11

10
10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11

11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

11
11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14

11
11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12

11

20
21

14
14

12
12

Some mind reading

Take a 4 digit number

eg.

7563

Scramble the digits to give y

Subtract y from x (or vice versa)

eg.

3567
3996

Cross out a non-zero digits and tell me the others eg. 396

Digital root of a number = sum of digits

x and y have the same digital root

Theorem The difference z between two numbers with the same digital root, has a digital root which is always a multiple of 9

Maths in Celtic and African Art

Celtic

African

How to draw simple Celtic Knots

Start with a grid

(5 , 4)

grid

(5,6)

(4,8)

How many pieces of string are needed?

(2,2)
(3,2) (5,3) (4,4)

2
1 1 4

Simple Celtic Knots are very similar to plaited mat sona drawings Sona African sand patterns

(3,4)

(2,4)

We can also produce more advanced African sona

Chased Chicken design Lions Stomach design