Mathematical Magic

William Simon

You don't have to be a mathematician or magician to perform the tricks in this fascinating treasury of numerical entertainments. Based on such mathematical ideas and principles as magic squares, the Fibonacci Series, Moebius strips, cycloids, topology and more, these ingenious brain teasers are amazingly simple to work and require only simple props: playing cards, matches, coins, calendars and other common items.

Mathematics authority and amateur magician William Simon shows how to master such dazzling deceptions as The Birthday Paradox; Costello's Tic, Tac, Toe; Dinner Ware; The Four Queens; Finding a Number; The College Bet; and other tricks. Performers need only remember the proper sequence of steps described in the text to discover not only an enjoyable way to mystify friends and relatives, but a new avenue for understanding and using many mathematical procedures.

Stimulating and well written, this modestly priced volume will appeal to amateur magicians and lovers of math puzzles, as well as teachers looking for entertaining and educational material to stimulate their students.