Shropshire Star

Literally anyone can do this cool card trick thanks to some simple maths

If you ever wondered in school why you needed maths, this could be the answer.

Published
A deck of cards

It seems like magic – but it’s actually just maths.

A video from YouTube channel Numberphile demonstrates a classic “pick a card, any card” trick complete with the “is this your card?” moment.

And while it seems like the mechanism must involve some sleight of hand or another clever magician’s illusion, it’s actually all down to maths.

It’s all down to the mechanics of the trick. There are only 21 cards, which are dealt into three rows of seven.

Because this is done three times and the cards are then resorted, it’s possible – as the video explains – to ensure the correct card eventually ends up in the same position in the deck – position number 11 – every time you perform the trick.

You can then add your own flourishes to the reveal – and your audience will never know you’ve baffled them with simple maths.

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