Magical Algebra Skills

It's a new day, it's a new mathemagic trick for me 𝅘𝅥𝅮

You know this song, right? Ok, in case you don't know it you might want to check the "Feeling Good" by singer Nina Simone, and don't forget to come back to reading this vlog 😀

So, were where we? Oh, yeah...

The MatheMagic Trick. Long time no see eh?

As I become avid reader, I bumped into this book called Secrets of Mental Math, The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks by Arthur Benjamin. I have to admit I was attracted by the title. Probably I thought I will find some super-speed-easy-strategies, but I just found that the books explains the math that I already know (probably that's why I'm teacher)

However, what I found interesting over there were some MatheMagic tricks, which I will present here (of course with different numbers, don't wanna spoil the book if you decide to go for it)

As every trick should begin, pick a partner for your trick. It can be a friend, family member or even a teacher 😀

And the final question 🥁

Are thinking of the number 8?

So, why this trick works?

This trick can be explained by using some basic algebra skills. More precisely solving-linear-equations-algebra-skills.

Firstly, let us denote the secret number by x (no much creativity used, eh?)

Next, we will just follow the requirements from the trick:

2x will denote "double the number"

2x+16 "add 16"

(2x+16)/2 = x+8 will denote "divide by 2"

(x+8)-x "subtract the original number"

x+8-x

x-x+8

=8 tadaaa 😀

As you can see, this trick can underline big adjustments and still will be working. For example, we can say "multiply by 3", and then respectively "divide by 3", or whatever number is at your preference.

The main goal is to get positive x , negative x and the number which will represent the solution or the final number.

So, that will be it. Now, go, go go... Let's trick someone 😀

And, let me finish this vlog with another (now word-by-word correct) lyrics of the aforementioned song:

"I'm feeling good"👍

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