The trick that fooled Einstein
Thursday, February 5th, 2009 running time 09:42
Watch Brian scam Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley with a few coins, and some algebra!
EFFECT: You and your friend pull out some change from your pockets, hold the coins in your hands, and shake 'em. Without looking, and judging from the sound, you're able to accurately describe the exact difference in value between your coins and your friend's.
Method: Not sure if this is true or not, but I learned this trick as "the trick that fooled Einstein." And it's brilliant, thanks to the special phrasing of your prediction.
To pull this one off, you'll need $2.85 of change in your pocket, comprised of 10 quarters, two dimes, two nickels, and five pennies. Pull out your change, listen to their change shaking, and then confidently announce your three-part prediction: "I have as much change as you do, plus two quarters...and enough change left over to bring your total to $2.35."
There's three parts to the prediction:
1 - "I have as much change as you do" ...pull out enough of your change to exactly match your friend's amount.
2 - "plus two extra quarters" ...drop down two quarters.
3 - "and enough change left over to bring your total up to $2.35"...and sure enough, you'll find that this is exactly true, no matter how much change your friend has.
Why does it work? Because if you look at it algebraically, you're really saying "I have X + .50 + ($2.35 - X)"...If you're a math whiz, you know that essentially, you're really saying "I have $2.85," (which is not so impressive). Luckily, the phrase is able to fool just about everyone into thinking you've made an impressive prediction!
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Highlights
Johnny Mosley
(
8:48, 8:54, 8:48, 8:54
)
gas station
(
9:10, 9:10
)
the Tonight Show
(
8:35, 8:35
)
starlet
(
4:55, 4:55
)
Johnny Mosley
(
8:48, 8:54, 8:48, 8:54
)
gas station
(
9:10, 9:10
)
the Tonight Show
(
8:35, 8:35
)
starlet
(
4:55, 4:55
)
Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )
" This week we've got a double punch an Olympic gold medalist and the trick that fooled Einstein. Diabolical understands -- how -- you by the evil geniuses at square space. Welcome to your first step on the path to double vision scam school the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street and a host Brian -- played -- so far we've given you the power super strength we give you X ray vision. Now we give you supersonic hearing with the trick that was described to me and the one that -- Einstein. Ignore the man. Just didn't really try to go well with us yeah."
" How on earth did you -- didn't mention it again blow my friends -- new Revision 3 and I thought I killed. -- in the top of the division three guys about all the continents and thank you want to get scanned at the yeah I know I got activity dollars in my pocket looking at badly by hot lap and aren't. Do you have dollars in the pocket this is a magnet falls a little bit detained cabinet and take your pocket -- I got them over here to help. No secret. -- go to receiver and a woman. I got -- and yeah. The thing I've got you know what all the good -- inside as probably gets. The network cacophony I think in order -- it was -- pick up any of the smart. I've got eagle here's an iPod are going to play and I can just listen and see how much change yeah but I don't know playing. I can tell you what the difference between -- resistance they're kicking up -- Microsoft's. I -- years. I definitely have more -- I give them right yeah that's the easy part -- to try to get up until this -- An attack -- three stages here. Vaccine now. Yeah plus. -- extra corners. Yet yeah. I've also got another excellent -- yeah to bring your total. Up to two dollars and 35 cents so let's start theology got -- yeah. -- It's an advisory got what that's like dollar dollar believe I'd like us don't like his dad there's your colors you know I -- as much do you have that the dollar. So all the different parts not yeah plus a few extra work. And I looked over three years -- tough one to 33 times we got one bring. -- 153. That's jewelry. That's -- yeah. To want green. Yeah. It's funny behind that manatees battle. By the advice seeking a million dollars down. Well you. Oh yeah -- Yeah -- predominantly. I realized I'd be taking all that moving to receive the other day on the -- right dollars and mechanical something I'm not a lot yeah. Nine -- and three and I think all the rest and Q did he does work. There's enough money raised. Right yeah I don't know history none of the witnesses describe to me that it was called the treatment isn't lifetime did you record on -- a little bit of eligibility. You know that's all right you'll have to do to quiet and others that magic praising -- I have -- can you. Plus plus. Do quarter. And I went over to bring their total. It's fun as well you know let's look at it is. Yeah just talking about oxygen -- and let's say you had nothing here. And I know. Roberts -- to bring your totals are staying. One dollar and right. You very. -- five. I guess that is one of green starlet. "
" I had no idea it. No matter what -- you have. Any great though."
" Praising it doesn't matter how much he's got -- Supposedly got three menus you know the right I'm still going to -- I've got the same -- you. Plus two quarters yeah I had enough leftover for them to make it all. Yeah that's right this morning -- its. -- my guess is much easier oh yeah plus two burners right and another month. Comfortably in your home. From what he's. 212. We -- to do yeah -- isn't completely. -- times that's crazy and always it's always more itself because it's yeah. As a algebra equation. I've got. Plus two quarters of it and some ballots. And why would have been impossible to -- 35. Are really saying is I have two dollars and 85 cents. -- yeah two dollars and and then that column exactly everything in its -- Do they think I'm going to fight it saying I don't know what you got that I graduating that's pretty -- yeah. I have as much as you. Was two quarters got enough left over to bring into a few good night. You gotta match. -- like that wow."
" Next up we're gonna review it isn't due today but first let's take a moment to talk about our newest sponsor here it's stands will square space has unbelievable software that makes it my drinking -- Easy to create amazing looking website from scratch would no technical knowledge whatsoever even a brain dead monkey like myself. Can create a kick -- website in fact I was checking out my -- and on his website co host the bachelorette show right here Revision 3 and it looks absolutely amazing they've got a free. Fourteen day trial no risk you don't even have to by the credit cards ahead on over to square space dot com starting out. And a promo code still in school and get 10% off for the life of your membership but I -- your membership. And make sure to keep your eyes out for some fun promotions that will be running with squares -- in the future."
" Now let's review if there's one pick up this effect is the complicated phrasing of the prediction. You gotta take some time practicing it if you. Otherwise you're going to mess it up nobody's gonna understand what the -- that should be. Great little pieces take your time and once you get it where would -- the words and exactly that of the points. Got a miracle on I think a little bit of Q and this question about a third. Certain viral video making the rounds right now user -- LA 72 asks if this guy Brian -- would."
" Hi this is the other Russian roulette Regina was telling you about policy model what is he uses Sunday night forced her home and it -- My turntable -- around. And I think that. -- else then I make my psyche selection if all goes well."
" and."
" Guilty as charged that isn't backed me and it isn't that very much say that was a joke video I've been together for my contact over the Tonight Show a couple of years ago. I ran across the book about a month back configured what the heck had been on YouTube. Trust me I never expected it to this email forwarding service. That wraps it up for this episode -- school we want to get very special thanks to Johnny Mosley mechanical element of dying mostly dot com and following that Twitter. Twitter.com slash Johnny Mosley don't forget if you want to forget your favorite -- can -- me directly at. Point three dot com."
" Any questions about this -- as the perform. Revision3.com. Slash span school and don't forget that we've been very special episode we're gonna learn how to sober up instantly using a gas station vacuum and conducting. Until then. Just -- at all."
" This week we've got a double punch an Olympic gold medalist and the trick that fooled Einstein. Diabolical understands -- how -- you by the evil geniuses at square space. Welcome to your first step on the path to double vision scam school the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street and a host Brian -- played -- so far we've given you the power super strength we give you X ray vision. Now we give you supersonic hearing with the trick that was described to me and the one that -- Einstein. Ignore the man. Just didn't really try to go well with us yeah."
" How on earth did you -- didn't mention it again blow my friends -- new Revision 3 and I thought I killed. -- in the top of the division three guys about all the continents and thank you want to get scanned at the yeah I know I got activity dollars in my pocket looking at badly by hot lap and aren't. Do you have dollars in the pocket this is a magnet falls a little bit detained cabinet and take your pocket -- I got them over here to help. No secret. -- go to receiver and a woman. I got -- and yeah. The thing I've got you know what all the good -- inside as probably gets. The network cacophony I think in order -- it was -- pick up any of the smart. I've got eagle here's an iPod are going to play and I can just listen and see how much change yeah but I don't know playing. I can tell you what the difference between -- resistance they're kicking up -- Microsoft's. I -- years. I definitely have more -- I give them right yeah that's the easy part -- to try to get up until this -- An attack -- three stages here. Vaccine now. Yeah plus. -- extra corners. Yet yeah. I've also got another excellent -- yeah to bring your total. Up to two dollars and 35 cents so let's start theology got -- yeah. -- It's an advisory got what that's like dollar dollar believe I'd like us don't like his dad there's your colors you know I -- as much do you have that the dollar. So all the different parts not yeah plus a few extra work. And I looked over three years -- tough one to 33 times we got one bring. -- 153. That's jewelry. That's -- yeah. To want green. Yeah. It's funny behind that manatees battle. By the advice seeking a million dollars down. Well you. Oh yeah -- Yeah -- predominantly. I realized I'd be taking all that moving to receive the other day on the -- right dollars and mechanical something I'm not a lot yeah. Nine -- and three and I think all the rest and Q did he does work. There's enough money raised. Right yeah I don't know history none of the witnesses describe to me that it was called the treatment isn't lifetime did you record on -- a little bit of eligibility. You know that's all right you'll have to do to quiet and others that magic praising -- I have -- can you. Plus plus. Do quarter. And I went over to bring their total. It's fun as well you know let's look at it is. Yeah just talking about oxygen -- and let's say you had nothing here. And I know. Roberts -- to bring your totals are staying. One dollar and right. You very. -- five. I guess that is one of green starlet. "
" I had no idea it. No matter what -- you have. Any great though."
" Praising it doesn't matter how much he's got -- Supposedly got three menus you know the right I'm still going to -- I've got the same -- you. Plus two quarters yeah I had enough leftover for them to make it all. Yeah that's right this morning -- its. -- my guess is much easier oh yeah plus two burners right and another month. Comfortably in your home. From what he's. 212. We -- to do yeah -- isn't completely. -- times that's crazy and always it's always more itself because it's yeah. As a algebra equation. I've got. Plus two quarters of it and some ballots. And why would have been impossible to -- 35. Are really saying is I have two dollars and 85 cents. -- yeah two dollars and and then that column exactly everything in its -- Do they think I'm going to fight it saying I don't know what you got that I graduating that's pretty -- yeah. I have as much as you. Was two quarters got enough left over to bring into a few good night. You gotta match. -- like that wow."
" Next up we're gonna review it isn't due today but first let's take a moment to talk about our newest sponsor here it's stands will square space has unbelievable software that makes it my drinking -- Easy to create amazing looking website from scratch would no technical knowledge whatsoever even a brain dead monkey like myself. Can create a kick -- website in fact I was checking out my -- and on his website co host the bachelorette show right here Revision 3 and it looks absolutely amazing they've got a free. Fourteen day trial no risk you don't even have to by the credit cards ahead on over to square space dot com starting out. And a promo code still in school and get 10% off for the life of your membership but I -- your membership. And make sure to keep your eyes out for some fun promotions that will be running with squares -- in the future."
" Now let's review if there's one pick up this effect is the complicated phrasing of the prediction. You gotta take some time practicing it if you. Otherwise you're going to mess it up nobody's gonna understand what the -- that should be. Great little pieces take your time and once you get it where would -- the words and exactly that of the points. Got a miracle on I think a little bit of Q and this question about a third. Certain viral video making the rounds right now user -- LA 72 asks if this guy Brian -- would."
" Hi this is the other Russian roulette Regina was telling you about policy model what is he uses Sunday night forced her home and it -- My turntable -- around. And I think that. -- else then I make my psyche selection if all goes well."
" and."
" Guilty as charged that isn't backed me and it isn't that very much say that was a joke video I've been together for my contact over the Tonight Show a couple of years ago. I ran across the book about a month back configured what the heck had been on YouTube. Trust me I never expected it to this email forwarding service. That wraps it up for this episode -- school we want to get very special thanks to Johnny Mosley mechanical element of dying mostly dot com and following that Twitter. Twitter.com slash Johnny Mosley don't forget if you want to forget your favorite -- can -- me directly at. Point three dot com."
" Any questions about this -- as the perform. Revision3.com. Slash span school and don't forget that we've been very special episode we're gonna learn how to sober up instantly using a gas station vacuum and conducting. Until then. Just -- at all."
travislopes
Started discussion: February 5, 2009 @ 9:00am GMT
Episode 47 - The trick that fooled Einstein [Discussion]
Watch Brian scam Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley with a few coins, and some algebra!
Watch and get scammed here.
astx813
10 months ago
In reply to masherscf:
I'm surpised sometimes what people fall for because they don't listen closely. I'm going to walk around with three one-dollar coins from now on. Why? Because the trick won't work.
Yeah, first thing I thought of was "what if the mark has more than 2.85," but really, how often does someone carry around $3 in change? Besides people like us, that is. :)
(oh, and my initial hunch is 20')
patrickd
10 months ago
In reply to astx813:
Yeah, first thing I thought of was "what if the mark has more than 2.85," but really, how often does someone carry around $3 in change? Besides people like us, that is. :)
You should see my pockets sometime. I really need to dump my change more often (or use a credit card more.)
Is this the first Scam School with a cold open? I don't recall that on any previous episode. I like it. Grabs people before the theme.
Brian, is this one of the episodes shot this week? Just curious if it was turned around that quickly or if this was done a while back.
shwooddotcom
10 months ago
In reply to patrickd:
You should see my pockets sometime. I really need to dump my change more often (or use a credit card more.)
Is this the first Scam School with a cold open? I don't recall that on any previous episode. I like it. Grabs people before the theme.
Brian, is this one of the episodes shot this week? Just curious if it was turned around that quickly or if this was done a while back.
Is this the first Scam School with a cold open? I don't recall that on any previous episode. I like it. Grabs people before the theme.
Brian, is this one of the episodes shot this week? Just curious if it was turned around that quickly or if this was done a while back.
We shot it in the last round of episodes, but the open and close were shot just 3 days ago. Glad you liked the cold open!
billdeys
10 months ago
Different Coins
I don't think this would work in say Canada (when I am). We have 1 and 2 dollar coins, so it's EASY to have like twenty bucks in your pocket and no paper! IMO you can only be in a place with quarters, nickles, dimes and pennies AND find someone who has less then $2.35!Murphy1d
10 months ago
In reply to billdeys:
I don't think this would work in say Canada (when I am). We have 1 and 2 dollar coins, so it's EASY to have like twenty bucks in your pocket and no paper! IMO you can only be in a place with quarters, nickles, dimes and pennies AND find someone who has less then $2.35!
Buncha Looneys!
Minton
10 months ago
this will work as long as they aren't carrying 3 dollar coins...then again you could get a few and make the trick go up to $5.35... Start with 3 dollar coins on top of the starting amount. Most people right now won't even know we have $1 coins so they will probably take any wager imaginable that the change in your hand will bring theirs up to $5.35...just a thought. (scam only valid in the US other countries with coins valued over $1 don't count...crazy Canadians)
Also I need to post now, is it me or has badger been on every question from the forums, I see that avatar every week
Also I need to post now, is it me or has badger been on every question from the forums, I see that avatar every week











This reminds me of an old brain teaser that's good to use in bars.
I went to the zoo today and saw a snakes that was 10 feet plus half its length long. How long was the snake?