Overview — Course No. 9202

Pick a card! Think of a number! In Math and Magic, Professor Arthur T. Benjamin reveals how mathematical principles power the most astonishing magic tricks. Whether it’s card illusions, mental math feats, or geometric mysteries, you’ll master dozens of tricks and learn how the math behind the magic works. Perfect for anyone, no math experience beyond high school needed—these tricks will dazzle your friends, spark curiosity, and even make you look like a genius!

Video Lessons

01: Mathematical Card Tricks

Begin with impressive card tricks that hide their mathematical underpinnings. Discover the invariant principle and try the “tear-able” trick for a dramatic finale.

Duration: 30 min

02: What’s Your Deal?

Learn card tricks using shuffles, deals, and flips. Dive into Hummer’s principle for endless magical surprises with just simple card procedures.

Duration: 36 min

03: Look like a Card Shark

Get poker-winning strategies with the Jonah principle, practice counting cards, and try a mind-reading trick that communicates a hidden card. Find out how to turn up four aces every time.

Duration: 40 min

04: The Deck Is Stacked

Unlock the secrets of stacked decks, like those from Si Stebbins, for “miraculous” tricks—appear to weigh or order cards in ways that defy logic.

Duration: 25 min

05: Perfect Shuffles

Join Brent Morris for the secrets of the perfect (faro) shuffle. Master in-shuffles and out-shuffles, and learn how sequences of perfect shuffles can create stunning symmetrical effects.

Duration: 30 min

06: Riffle Shuffles

Explore magic using ordinary riffle shuffles, where earlier card arrangements create surprising results with the help of Gilbreath’s principle.

Duration: 32 min

07: Magic with Numbers

Perform number-guessing stunts involving the golden ratio and Fibonacci series. Explore how algebraic patterns lie at the heart of these “mind reading” tricks.

Duration: 35 min

08: Look like a Genius

Astound with mental math: multiply by 11, divide by 91, multiply near 100, and quickly square numbers ending in 5—no calculator required!

Duration: 32 min

09: The Magic of Nine

Enter the world of number nine and “casting out nines” for finding missing digits or uncovering hidden calculations. Determine hidden ages or cube roots using the magic of nine.

Duration: 34 min

10: Look like a Psychic

Master tricks with hidden birthdays, dice stacking, alphabet arrays, parity, and the mysterious “toxic” calculation principle to appear psychic.

Duration: 28 min

11: Geometric and Topological Magic

Reveal geometric and topological oddities with Möbius bands, twisted paper strips, bagels, and disappearing-image puzzles.

Duration: 31 min

12: Magic Squares

Delight with centuries-old magic squares: instantly create numeric grids where rows, columns, and diagonals all add to the same magical total—including squares personalized to your audience.

Duration: 37 min