Missed yesterday’s post trying to get too much done.
Found an interesting little Math trick that, while technically not Mentalism, can be an entertaining diversion while we’re waiting for everyone to get caught up.
It’s based on the old “nines rule”, but in the right context, and with an admonition of not letting anyone else see your answer, should actually have people laughing.
Using the white card found in their Goody Bags, I have them write down a four digit number, “no, make that five”. I demonstrate on the white board by writing the numbers 4 7 2 and 3, then adding a 6 on the end (…for example, any numbers will do…)
I then have them take the same five digits and rearrange them underneath the first five.
Now we subtract the larger from the smaller. This will bring some chuckles as some people will have a larger number on bottom and have to switch them around, and some people will genuinely be bad at Math.
Finally I have them go across the remainder adding all the digits together. I do NOT add all of mine in the demo, but stop when I get a double digit, and draw a box around it. They keep adding, while I explain that “if” they get more than one digit they should add those together. I show them what I mean, and circle that number.
They have directions not to let anyone else see their answers, and while they're finishing up, I casually erase all of my numbers. When it looks like everyone is done, I ask, “Now, by a show of hands," (while I draw the large single digit), "who got the number nine?” Everyone should raise their hands, look around, startled, and then start laughing (or groaning).
I’ll use this as a time killer after the instructions for writing the Carnak questions.