Calculating & Mental Arithmetic

120 entries in Numbers / Calculating & Mental Arithmetic
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Carl Willmann Briefkasten answering letters, on the size of the print run (less than 500), holding breath under water, speed calculation
 		Mar. 1897
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 3 No. 3)
48
Olanthe Ein Besuch bei der Rechenkünstlerin Konorah on speed calculation
Related to July 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 7)
110
Olanthe Ein Besuch bei der Rechenkünstlerin Konorah part two
Related to Aug. 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 8)
125
Olanthe Ein Besuch bei der Rechenkünstlerin Konorah part three
 		Sep. 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 9)
142
Olanthe Ein Besuch bei der Rechenkünstlerin Konorah part four
Related to Oct. 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 10)
157
Oswald Rae Miracles of Memory mental arithmetic, and list of words, interesting solution and presentation for the mental arithmetic
 		1928
Sub Rosa
91
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Mathematische Merkwürdigkeiten mathematical curiosities with the numbers 8, 9, 11, 37
 		1930
Zauberkunststücke
56
Friedrich "Fritz" Hügli Die Kartenzahl des mittleren von 3 Kartenhäufchen zu erraten
1930
Zauberkunststücke
70
Frank Lane, U. F. Grant A New Impromptu Number Trick quick addition of two six-digit numbers, using Axel Hellstrom's memory system
 		1935
They're Off
7
Charles Nagle The Addition of the Age quick addition stunt
 		Apr. 1936
The Jinx (Issue 19)
104
Charles Nagle Governmental Wizardry calculation puzzle
 		1936
The Jinx (Issue Summer Extra 1936)
136
E.E. Hammill Psychic Uncle Sam "P$ychic Uncle $am", result of calculation shows initial number
 		Aug. 1943
The Phoenix (Issue 42)
173
Henry J. Young Two Number Tricks
  • All Alike
  • The Predicted Total
 		1944
Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1944)
17
L. Vosburgh Lyons Dizzy Discs speed summation and subtraction with number discs
 		Mar. 1944
The Phoenix (Issue 55)
226
Max Katz Cube Root Extraction cube roots of numbers until 100
 		Apr. 1944
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 1 No. 11)
47
Dr. Edward G. Ervin Number Thot number "randomly" calculated divined, interesting principle
Also published here 1944
Practical Mental Effects
122
Royal Vale Heath DY-Cyphering Trick method of quickly calculating five three digit numbers, second method with dice
Variations 1945
My Best
242
Verne Chesbro Chesbro On Heath's "Dy-Cyphering" coding numbers with dice
 		1945
My Best
244
Dr. William Weyeneth Aussi fort qu'Inaudi multiplying a number with 16 digits, followed by german translation "So stark wie Inaudi"
Also published here July 1946
La Baguette Magique (Issue 10)
2
Arthur P. Drury Russian 'Rithmetic odd way to multiply numbers
 		July 1947
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 2)
337
Max Katz Think of a Number spectator thinks of a number and has free choice of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing several times, divination of chosen number
Related to Mar. 1948
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 10)
402
Max Katz Think of a Number corrections to routine published on p. 402
Related to Apr. 1948
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 5 No. 11)
415
Wallace Lee Multiplying on the Fingers multiplying numbers from five to ten using the hands
Related to Sep. 1948
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 6 No. 4)
465
Wallace An "Oldie" In a New Dress using a nine column calculating machine, rule of nine
 		Oct. 1949
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 7 No. 5)
595
Jack Miller The Magic Number Trick No. 52, Mathematical card trick
 		1950
Scarne on Card Tricks
93
Francis J. Rigney A Russian Count method of multiplication using fingers
Related to Feb. 1950
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 7 No. 9)
635
Victor Farelli Crazy Multiplication odd and interesting method to multiply numbers
 		Jan. 1951
Hugard's Magic Monthly (Vol. 8 No. 8)
745
Royal Vale Heath, Ed Balducci Heath's "Di-ciphering" five dice with different three digit numbers on each face. Roll the dice, magician can very quickly give the sum of the numbers rolled
Variations 1956
Mathematics, Magic And Mystery
106
Rapid Cube Root Extraction Find cube roots of numbers very quickly, mental calculation
 		1956
Mathematics, Magic And Mystery
157
Adding a Fibonacci Series Add up ten Fibonacci numbers very quickly, mental calculation
 		1956
Mathematics, Magic And Mystery
158
Max Katz Mathematical Curiosities: Multiplication Short Cut
1957
26 Originals
22
Tony Corinda Quick Calculations: Mental Arithmetic
1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
63
Tony Corinda (1) Squaring method for quickly squaring numbers from twenty-five to hundred
 		1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
63
Tony Corinda (2) Extraction of Square Roots
1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
64
Tony Corinda (3) Cubing
1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
64
Tony Corinda (4) Extraction of Cube Roots
1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
65
Tony Corinda, Al Baker The Application of the Mnemonic Number Code
  • (1) for mental arithmetic
  • (2) for coding at the phone (Al Baker)
  • (3) two person act, arithmetic
  • (4) Corinda's "Fourteenth Book Test", coding with medium
Related to 1958
Mnemonics and Mental Systems
78
Chester "Dr. DeMille" Miller Math-O-Matics seven digit number added to other numbers
 		1961
Still More Miracles in Mentalism
52
Edwin Leist-Bernini Zahlenzauber named number appears on signed card in envelope, carbon envelope, pyro envelope
 		1961
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 22 No. 2)
33
Monty Crowe Your Life Your Phone as Sen. Montgomery F. Crowe, telephone number divination, using calculation
Inspired by
  • "Behind My Blackboard" in "The Gen" May, 1959
 Nov. 1964
The New Jinx (Vol. 3 No. 31)
129
L. Vosburgh Lyons, Thomas Alan Waters Mathematically Inclined ten digits used for longer calculation, making a pyramid of numbers according to rules, result instantly seen by performer, for credit discussion see reference
Related toAlso published here Sep. 1966
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 1 No. 11)
54
Chan Canasta Oops 1: Fifty years of history Numerical force to select a particular card on a grid of twenty cards, based on an important year to the spectator
 		1966
Book of Oopses
4
Chan Canasta Oops 9: Look out for a number 1089 force, prediction is 6801 on the page, must flip upside down to reveal prediction
Related to 1966
Book of Oopses
20
Dr. Ben B. Braude New Math number added with reversed number, left-out digit divined, "L'Illusioniste" ca. 60 years ago
Related to Oct. 1967
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 2 No. 12)
127
Mel Stover Beadless Abacus cardboard computer, layout with numbers, calculation routine
 		July 1968
Ibidem (Issue 33)
22
Gaston "Gasbor" Borgeaud Nombres Curieux number oddities, math
 		1971
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 32 No. 2)
22
Gaston "Gasbor" Borgeaud Un petit tour de table addition / Ein kleines Tischkunststück numbers on small wooden bars are added, total is quickly calculated by performer
 		1971
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 32 No. 3)
47
Dr. William Weyeneth 5882352941176470x = ? multiplying a number with 16 digits
Also published here 1971
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 32 No. 5)
88
George Sands Fast Multiplication one number given by performer
  • 3 Digits
  • 9 Digits
  • 15 Digits
 		1971 ca.
Sandslide
5
Ken De Courcy A Not-so-Proper Charlie unusual method to multiply two numbers by continuously dividing and multiplying them by two
Variations 1973
Pentertain
7
Ken De Courcy The Chinese Check unusual method to multiply two numbers with some sort of grid
 		1973
Pentertain
8
Ken De Courcy A Question of Degree method of multiplying 9 with every digit
 		1973
Pentertain
13
Bob Read Calculator Writing joke, result of a calculation is a hidden message on the calculator, see also page 87 for additional idea by Dr. Brum Antonioli
 		Dec. 1974
Pabular (Vol. 1 No. 4)
51
John Scarne Roulette Paradox article about roulette betting
Related to Mar. 1975
Epilogue (Issue 23)
213
Mark Weston The Calculator Business message writing with a calculator and multiplication curriosities
 		Aug. 1975
Pabular (Vol. 1 No. 12)
140
Al Mann 1001 Mysteries on multiplying with 1001
 		Jan. 1975
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 10 No. 3)
838
Al Mann The Phantom Digits number multiplied with two other known numbers, total named, performer immediately names original number
 		Jan. 1975
The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 10 No. 3)
838
Karl Fulves Pocket Calculators building small calculators in pads for addition effects
 		1975
Interlocutor (Issue 2)
4
Theodore DeLand Das mysteriöse Streichholz grid with a hundred numbers, spectator places match on it and performer instantly knows total of the numbers, also with back turned
Also published here
  • New Pentagram, Oct. 1972
 Nov. 1975
Intermagic (Vol. 3 No. 1 & 2)
30
Gerald Kosky Cassette Speaking instruction and divination on cassette
 		1975
The Magic of Gerald Kosky
198
Roy Walton Baker Street Re-Visted cards with words on one side and numbers on the other. One card is selected and numbers added on a calculator, when turned over the result is the selected word.
 		Dec. 1976
Pabular (Vol. 3 No. 4)
338
Harry Lorayne The Nine Principle predicting or adding sum of five five-digit numbers
 		1977
The Magic Book
209
Harry Lorayne Lightning Addition
1977
The Magic Book
215
Lightning Addition No. 26, strips with number, speed addition demonstration with them
 		1979
Self-Working Mental Magic
39
Long Division No. 27, long number, performer knows whether it is divisible by four or how to change it so it is
 		1979
Self-Working Mental Magic
41
A 5¢ Computer No. 7, remainder in division is known, using calculator made from paper strip and paper frame
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
9
Karl Fulves Lightning Calculators chapter intro
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
31
Linear A No. 18, knowing whether an eighteen-digit number is divisible by seven
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
31
Slippery Sevens No. 19, producing numbers that are divisible by seven from given numbers
Related to 1983
Self-Working Number Magic
33
Alberti's Game No. 20, demonstration of quick multiplication and addition
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
34
The Fifth Power No. 21, spectator calculated fifth power of any number up to hundred, performer names original number
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
35
Playing the Market No. 22, quick addition demonstration
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
36
Tricky Total No. 23, quick multiplication demonstration
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
37
L. Vosburgh Lyons Mathematically Inclined No. 24, making a pyramid of numbers according to rules, final number predicted, Pascal's Triangle
Also published here 1983
Self-Working Number Magic
38
Fake Arithmetic No. 25, speed addition of five five-digit numbers
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
40
Ultraffinity No. 26, dividing a large number evenly by any digit except seven
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
42
Karl Fulves Dollars and Dice No. 27, serial number of bill, dice rolled, performer instantly adjusts serial number so it is divisible by other number
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
44
Second Saturday No. 71, knowing the first of a month when the second saturday's number is named
Variations 1983
Self-Working Number Magic
91
Rapid Boxscores No. 79, instantly figuring out product of two numbers
 		1983
Self-Working Number Magic
100
Piet Forton Der Alters- und Zahlenhellseher calculation procedure, age and thought of initial number can be divined
 		1983
Je geschickter desto Zauberer
9
Barrie Richardson Rule of Nines two six-digit numbers are formed, performer names more numbers and quickly names total
 		Mar. 1985
Magick (Issue 349)
1742
Royal Vale Heath, Rudolf Braunmüller Die Phänomen-Würfel five dice with three-digit numbers, speed calculation effects
  • Effekt Nr. 1
  • Effekt Nr. 2
  • Effekt Nr. 3
  • Effekt Nr. 4
 		Oct. 1987
Intermagic (Vol. 13 No. 1)
8
Rudolf Braunmüller Zyklische Zahlen five uses
 		Oct. 1987
Intermagic (Vol. 13 No. 1)
11
Rudolf Braunmüller Rechenkünste
  • Die geheimnisvolle Zahl 1001
  • Zwei Trick-Additionsmethoden
 		Oct. 1987
Intermagic (Vol. 13 No. 1)
17
Jean de Merry Les dés imaginaires spectator writes two numbers from a dice on a paper and does some calculation, when given the result performer is able to name both numbers
 		1989
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 50 No. 1)
13
Walter "Waltini" Schällebaum Kalender Trick quickly calculating several numbers from calendar
 		1990
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 52 No. 2)
36
Rio "Rocapo" Pauletto Das gelogene Alter to divine age of spectator, spectator is allowed to lie
 		1992
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 54 No. 6)
23
24:6=13 mathematical gag
 		1993
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 55 No. 2)
23
45 - 45 = 45 mathematical oddity
 		1994
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 56 No. 1)
25
Harry Lorayne Additions To HaLo's Revenge using a square of numbers
 		June 1995
Apocalypse (Vol. 18 No. 6)
2517
Bob Farmer Merry Cashmas adding consecutive numbers quickly
 		Dec. 1995
MAGIC (Vol. 5 No. 4)
83
Alan Jackson Diabolical Divisors
Mar. 1996
Apocalypse (Vol. 19 No. 3)
2626
Tom Daugherty Seven Magic Numbers
Aug. 1997
Apocalypse (Vol. 20 No. 8)
2826
Alan Jackson Mephistophalian Multipliers
Aug. 1997
Apocalypse (Vol. 20 No. 8)
2827
Karl Fulves, Derek Lever, Ralph W. Hull, Nate Leipzig Dot Com... "Tricks and stunts with numbers"
Variations 1997
The Fine Print (Issue 5)
123
Karl Fulves Bit by Bit combo system introduction, binary numbers
Related to 1998
Combo
4
Sam Schwartz Add It
  • "Dot Com - Tricks and stunts with numbers"
lightning calculation demonstration with four columns of numbers, reprint of instructions by Ed Mishell for Tannen's
 		1999
The Fine Print (Issue 10)
350
Barrie Richardson The Human Equation six people call out one digit and sit on six chairs, performer quickly writes down four rows of numbers which when added up correspond to the number combination of the people sitting on the chairs
 		1999
Theater of the Mind
100
Theophil "Philius" Weidmann Das 10 Münzen Mirakel spectator divides ten coins in hands and does some calculation, performer divines amount of coins in each hand
 		2001
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 63 No. 5)
100
David Berglas Memory and Mathematics pseudo mental arithmetic routine, spectators write cards with numbers, ends with a huge number, clever presentation
 		2002
The Mind & Magic of David Berglas
261
Dave Arch Beat The Machine spectators and performer contribute numbers which are multiplied, performer has result quicker than spectators
 		2002
Syzygy (Vol. 5 No. 12)
405
Robert Cassidy The Moleskine Divination three dice with three digit numbers, to select number and place from a list in a moleskine, divination
Inspired by 2004
The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy
168
Richard Feynman Watch Calculation offset on watch to apparently give complicated answers to time queries
 		2005
Latter Day Secrets (Issue 10)
400
Barrie Richardson The Incredible Human Calculator "(An Effect That Has Never Been Performed)"
spectator writes numbers from chips into grid, performer does speed calculation with the resulting grid
 		2005
Act Two
313
Karl Fulves Simple Binary simple way to get comfortable with binary numbers
Related to 2006
Prolix (Issue 1)
20
Docc Hilford D1c1ph3r Bars "Dicipher Bars", four bars with different numbers on each side are placed and sum instantly named by performer
 		2006
Qebhsennuf — The Book of Numbers Vol. 2
18
Juan Tamariz The Cry of Truth letters are linked with numbers, named numbers are added to values of chosen playing cards, digits used to build a word using the letters, everybody gets "Guerra no!"
 		2008
Verbal Magic
86
Roberto Giobbi Presentation and Handling for Six Guests in Five Rooms mathematical puzzle performed with finger
 		2010
Secret Agenda (Issue Jan 2)
4
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Smart Gum paper strips with digits are used, performer can instantly add four four-digit numbers, repeat with newly formed three-digit numbers
Variations Aug. 2012
Real Secrets (Vol. 1 No. 5)
1
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Jelly Bean Estimator cards with various jelly beans on both sides, spectator turns some over, performer instantly knows sum of all visible jelly beans, repeat, then number is predicted
Related to Nov. 2012
Real Secrets (Vol. 1 No. 8)
1
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Royal Shopping Spree spectator names one item from each of several receipts, performer instantly names total
(PDF bonus from May 2013)
Inspired by May 2013
Real Secrets (Vol. 2 No. 14)
1
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Heath Receipts instantly knowing the price of any named item
(PDF bonus from sometime before May 2013)
Inspired by May 2013
Real Secrets (Vol. 2 No. 14)
1
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Smart Water four numbers assembled together with spectators are quickly added
(Real Secrets Bonus sheet)
 		Sep. 2013
Real Secrets (Vol. 2 No. 18)
3
Tomas Blomberg Mind Stress ten cards with ten three-digit numbers each, spectator thinks of one number, performer divines it
Also published here
  • marketed via Ben Harris's WowBound
 2014
Blomberg Laboratories
155
Finger Calculator for multiplication with 9
 		2016
Hidden Agenda (Issue July 24)
212
Roberto Giobbi Mental Magic Opener: Magic by Know-how
Related to 2016
Hidden Agenda (Issue Oct 5)
286
John Michael Wilson Euler and Water calculating fifth roots
Also published here 2016
You and Me and the Devil Makes Three — Volume I
17
Rhys "Morgan" Jones, Robert "West" Tay The 40 Digit Hyperbrain Act forty numbers from billets written on grid on slate, miscalling, number sequence recalled by blindfolded performer, square root calculation with selected numbers, sum given
  • Required Mathematics
Related to 2020
Parlour Tricks
301
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Smart Gum gum wrappers are folded into rectangular tubes with number columns along each of the four sides, speed-addition demonstration with different phases, involving spectator adding numbers on his phone calculator, spectator chooses three tubes that add up to a written-up "prediction" number
  • The Secret of the Wrappers
    • Single Flat Wrapper
    • Tubes
  • The Secret of Your Friend Becoming Smarter
  • Putting it All Together
  • History
  • Rights
Inspired byVariations 2022
Smart Gum
[1]
Michael Weber, Tim Trono Smarter gum wrappers are folded into rectangular tubes with number columns along each of the four sides, speed-addition demonstration with different phases, involving spectator choosing three tubes that add up to a written-up "prediction" number
  • The Secret of the Wrappers
  • The Secret to Making the Spectator Smart
  • Creating the Experience
  • History
  • Rights
Inspired by 2025
Smarter
[1]