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KornbergMagic New user 7 Posts 
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Does anyone know what the math principle, which is behind the trick 'Understanding the Bermuda Triangle' found in Jim Steinmeyer's Impuzzibilities, is called?
Two variations of this principle can also be found in Bob Longe's Money Magic Tricks under the titles of two tricks: 'The Great Escape' and 'Which Way Did They Go?'; each one of these two tricks are the exact reverse applications of one another (and the unnamed principle in question).
Please note that the bowl at the back of the church labeled 'for the sick' is for monetary donations ONLY.
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shaunproof Loyal user Parts Unknown 233 Posts
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Can you please describe these tricks?
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Nir Dahan Inner circle Munich, Germany 1390 Posts
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I don't know if you can call it a principle.
Once an object is not in one of the corners it is counted only once. If it is in a corner position it is counted twice. I believe it is too simple to have a name. You also have to be careful who you perform this to. For some people this effect is obvious... N. |
Cranial Fermentator Loyal user 238 Posts
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If anyone is interested in learning more about this effect, check out Peter Marucci's version on Visions-Online:
http://www.online-visions.com/bizarre/0511bermuda-runes.html |
Jim Morton Veteran user 361 Posts
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The mathematics behind the trick has to do with sets. If you remember those Venn diagrams from school, the trick would start with three overlapping circles. By moving numbers from overlapping sections of the circles to unique sections of the circles you can maintain the number in each circle. Knowing this does not help anyone perform the trick. You'll find that mathematicians are not fooled by the effect at all. For everyone else, it is a great trick.
Jim |
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Hushai Elite user St. Louis, Missouri, USA 469 Posts
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I have not actually seen anyone do these tricks, though I have read both Steinmeyer's and Longe's explanations and they sound kind of interesting. I would like to try this type of effect, but, what I am wondering is not about the mathematics of the tricks, but about practical presentation: isn't it boring to have spectators have to do all that counting over and over again? I can imagine my audience's eyes rolling as I ask them to count the coins or whatever yet again. Also: how do you position the objects -- stack them up on top of each other, set them next to each other, or what?
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Foucault Elite user New Jersey, USA 424 Posts
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Quote:
On 2005-09-20 10:56, Cranial Fermentator wrote: Nice presentation - and the presentation, as Peter says, is what will sell this trick. I've just recently bought myself a copy of Steinmeyer's book, and I'm finding this stuff fascinating. |
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Godel New user California 71 Posts
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I have a copy of Steinmeyer's booklet also, great stuff...Martin Gardner also has good math tricks in his books.
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Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts
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I once reprinted Will Blith's 1926 rendition of this one, The Stolen Tarts, from his book Money Magic. In this one, he has 32 pennies in a square, and 4 pennies are removed each of 4 times. Sides of the square always add up to 9. There is only one pile in between the corners in this rendition.
To work it, start with the sides 1-7-1, remove one from each center,then shuffle coins to 2-5-2, then 3-3-3, and for the 4th stage, 3-1-3. I haven't played with this much to see what all can be done with the 4-corner approach... It's a curiousity, fyi.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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Scott Cram Inner circle 2678 Posts
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For the best presentation of this concept, I would have to give the nod to Lew Brooks (of Stack Attack fame). He used to present it with the assistance of his son, using cookies. When Lew was talking, his son would eat a cookie, and rearrange the cookies. Lew would count the cookies, be satisfied that the same number was there, then turn around and continue talking. The kid would eat another cookie, and the deception would continue...
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Bob_Hummer Special user 848 Posts
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Great suggestion Scott - A version of this effect is also described in an amusing way in the third voulme of Art Of Astonishment by Paul Harris...
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Oscar999 Elite user 403 Posts
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I recall the Paul Harris version ... And I visited the online-visions link above and grabbed the Bermuda Runes presentation ... it's excellent, I've tried it out on a few people and they were mystified. Very easy to do informally, I used matches ... with a "magic triangle" theme. Thanks to "Cranial" for posting the link.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6728 Posts
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Quote:
On 2006-04-17 01:28, Scott Cram wrote: That's nice. That's along the lines of what I was once thinking... I thought it would be something that would be done for a children's show. In my idea you had special coins that you talked about and you were worried about the "coin thief". As you talked your assistant, dressed like the classic burglar, stole a coin and, of course, the kids would scream and shout. You turned around and proved nothing had happened. Every time you turn around the thief would come out and steal a coin. It would be one of those classic kid show routines where the magician doesn't see something but the kids did. It was just a thought since I haven't done a kids show for decades. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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DaiBato Veteran user 310 Posts
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Hey, Greg; nice to see you on the Café.
DaiBato |
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6728 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-05-13 23:40, DaiBato wrote: Right back at you! greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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John Smetana ???? - 2009 499 Posts
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There's a version of this effect in Mike Weber's Lifesavers...titled "To Feed Many"...also excellent...
All the best, John |
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Kevinh5 Regular user 108 Posts
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My audiences are all tax professionals, so counting is actually fun for them. I'll have to look for Steinmeyer's book.
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| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Magical equations » » Math Principle in Steinmeyer's Impuzzibilities' Understanding the Bermuda Triangle (0 Likes) | |
Posted: Sep 11, 2005 08:18 pm 
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