Episode 120: The Easy Magic Square Cheat [Discussion]

[jackierulesall]

Be like Rain Man with the Magic Square!

Watch or download now!

[yum9me]

There is a problem with the HD(30 fps) MP4 version. It is only 88kb.

[efadunstan]

I did a trick like this a while back ago with different numbers, so I didnt think it would work exactly the same as the method I used, but to my supprise, it does. The Four Corners of Any 3x3 square in that 4x4 square will add up to the magic number. I thought I should point that out to make it even more impossible.

[mathwhiz]

Here's hoping they fix the HD(30 fps) feed soon. Can't wait to see the new episode!

[greymatters]

If you're having trouble with other versions, the version on Scam School's own site seems to be working just fine.

I've also posted it on my own blog, along with more links to information about the forcing matrix and other no-calculation magic square presentations.

Update: I got the Quicktime Large version last night, and it's been working fine since I got it. At this writing, the Quicktime HD edition of the podcast seems to be working fine. Although they weren't available when I originally wrote this update, I can now see the Easy Magic Square Cheat available for the Quicktime Large edition or the Quicktime Small edition, as well.

They're probably re-tooling the video and working on the problem as we speak. It probably won't be too long before it's up on YouTube, as well.

[efadunstan]

This is the way I have learned to do it. I was shown it in a free ebook. you need to have a 4x4 that will look like this:

8 11 B 1
A 2 7 12
3 D 9 6
10 5 4 C


Replace A with the special number minus 21, B is one more than A, C is one more than B, and D is one more than C. It will work every time. If you feel like having a person select a random number, tell them to make it hard on you and go with a number between 25 and 50, that way A, B, C, and D wont look weird compared to the actual constant numbers.

There you have it, an out for if the spectator sucks at math.

[greymatters]

Originally Posted by efadunstan

This is the way I have learned to do it. I was shown it in a free ebook. you need to have a 4x4 that will look like this:

8 11 B 1
A 2 7 12
3 D 9 6
10 5 4 C


Replace A with the special number minus 21, B is one more than A, C is one more than B, and D is one more than C. It will work every time. If you feel like having a person select a random number, tell them to make it hard on you and go with a number between 25 and 50, that way A, B, C, and D wont look weird compared to the actual constant numbers.

There you have it, an out for if the spectator sucks at math.

Not bad! A slightly easier way to achieve the same thing (including a handy way to remember the patterns needed), courtesy of James Grime/singingbanana, whom Scam Schoolers will remember from the Pi Day magic trick, is taught in this video.

[4ndr3w]

what would have been even better is if it took 34 seconds to write all the numbers

[magicpete]

If people are interested in magic squares, they should search out Harry Lorayne's "The Magic Book" (G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York:1977,pp218-222)
He goes through Brian's "34" magic square, but continues to show how to make one for any number from 34-100. Someone posted this above, but I think the apparently random number for the square adds to the effect. For larger numbers, you can show how ANY 3x3 squares in the array add up to the chosen number as well as of course the rows, columns and corners. As well the top two MIDDLE numbers with the bottom two MIDDLE numbers add to the number as do left side two MIDDLE numbers and the right side two MIDDLE numbers.
I have no idea where Harry Loryane first learned it, but I learned it from his book.
Lorayne is of course a decent sleight of hand card magician whom Brian must know of. He has some great stuff on memory training as well.

[smeerkaas]

Why isn't the HD 30fps video link fixed? It's been a few days now. Please?