Math Magic

SYMMETRY. Metamorphosis from the digits 0123456789 to the title. INSPIRATION. Video title lettering for Math Magic, a video plus book course by human calculator and math evangelist Scott Flansburg. STORY. I first met Scott in 1996 when we were both presenting at the annual MathCounts award ceremony. MathCounts is a national mathematics competition for middle school students that culminates in an event where every state sends four students and adult chaperones to compete in a national playoff. Wanting to impress Scott, I wrote his name so it inverted into "The Human Calculator." Scott is a human calculator, meaning that he can perform impressive calculations like squaring a many digit number entirely in his head, quickly and accurately. The Guinness Book of World Records lists him as the fastest human calculator. Scott has parlayed used his ability to become a media celebrity, on a mission to let kids (and adults) know that everyone can "embrace numbers and enjoy mathematics." The methods he uses are nothing more than smarter ways to do arithmetic than the ways we learn in school, and by learning these methods students of all ages can gain confidence in their ability to handle numbers. A decade ago Scott released a book and video course teaching his calculation methods, and promoted it with infomercials and a national tour. Now he is at it again, and with the popularity of Harry Potter he decided to give the new incarnation of his presentation a magical theme. You can learn more about it and order the product at his web site humancalculator.com. He asked me to do title lettering, and here is the result. The animation above morphs the digits 0 through 9 into the title. It appears at the beginning and end of the video. Originally I used the numbers 1 through 10, which is more familiar to most people, but Scott is insistent that the proper way to think about counting is to focus on the ten digits 0 through 9, so I redid it to match his wishes. The lettering style is based on medieval calligraphy, which is appropriate for the theme of magic and wizardry. The morphs of the ten numbers start in rapid sequence with considerable overlap, to create an effect that makes visual sense but is impossible to fully comprehend. You may have noticed that the final lettering is almost, but not quite, a perfect inversion. That is because it is based on an inversion I did originally for the book title, shown below. In the end the book designers decided that it was not legible enough to be the main title, and included it instead on an inside page. For the video title I wanted a title that appeared to be the same as the book lettering, but I made a few modifications to untangle spots that were hard to read, especially the AG ligature in MAGIC.

What is MathMagic?

MathMagic is a K-12 telecommunications project developed in El Paso, Texas by Alan A. Hodson. It provides strong motivation for students to use computer technology while increasing problem-solving strategies and communications skills. MathMagic posts challenges in each of four categories (k-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) to trigger each registered team to pair up with another team and engage in a problem-solving dialog. When an agreement has been reached, one solution is posted for every pair.

MathMagic has received wide ideological acceptance by hundreds of past FidoNet users (spearheaded by Carol Hooper), because it addresses most of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. A modified format expanded into the Internet and has been available via regular e-mail or via the World Wide Web (WWW) since 1993.

Who can participate?

K-12 teachers and students, but higher education teachers, librarians, technology coordinators, computer teachers, and even home-schoolers are joining to act as facilitators.

What is needed?

Any teacher with access to electronic mail via the Internet can participate. AllInternet Service Providers (AOL, Compuserve, FlashNet, PrimeNet, etc.) now offer e-mail gateways and other Internet services. MathMagic is best suited to schools that use computers with modems and/or have direct Internet access.

In some areas, a local Bulletin Board System (BBS) or a Net user (such as a parent with net access) may have to act as a go-between. Please ask about special arrangements.

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Math Division Tricks 1.0

With Math Division Tricks enter a number, and find out if it can be divided by a number that comes between two and twelve. In addition learn the division rules from two to twelve.Math Division Tricks will allow you to know about numbers and division rules.

CNET Editor's Note: The "Download Now" link directs you to the iTunes App Store, where you must continue the download process. You must have iTunes installed in order to open the link, and you must have an active iTunes account to download the application. This download may not be available in some countries.

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Mental Math Tricks

Have you always wanted to be lightning-fast at math? Did you wish you can do fast math in your head?

Have you wondered why some people have an almost unnatural ability to solve math problems in their heads faster than you can do them on a calculator?

The truth is, anybody can learn how to calculate very quickly with just a few math tricks. The techniques do not take long to lean, and with just a little practice, you can become a seemingly mathematical wizard!

These math tricks are taught to you very clearly in “Fun With Figures”. You can quickly learn these tricks and impress your family, friends, and coworkers:

• How to multiply any 2-digit numbers together in your head within seconds!
• The magic phrase you can use to instantly check your change.
• How to calculate naturally – from left to right!
• How to double-check your bills by using a single number.
• The easiest method ever for dealing with fractions!
• A brand new approach to multiplication.
• 11 little words to instantly overcome the most-feared mental math sum of them all: long division.

These techniques are for everybody – especially kids!

The methods taught in this book are FUN! And they will inspire a love for math in kids which is important in order for them to do well in their studies of the sciences.

Beat the Calculator - Squaring

Squaring a 2-digit number

1. Take a 2-digit number beginning with 1.
2. Square the second digit
   (keep the carry) _ _ X
3. Multiply the second digit by 2 and
   add the carry (keep the carry) _ X _
4. The first digit is one
   (plus the carry) X _ _

Example:

1. If the number is 16, square the second digit:
   6 × 6 = 36 _ _ 6
2. Multiply the second digit by 2 and
   add the carry: 2 × 6 + 3 = 15 _ 5 _
3. The first digit is one plus the carry:
   1 + 1 = 2 2 _ _
4. So 16 × 16 = 256.

See the pattern?

1. For 19 × 19, square the second digit:
   9 × 9 = 81 _ _ 1
2. Multiply the second digit by 2 and
   add the carry: 2 × 9 + 8 = 26 _ 6 _
3. The first digit is one plus the carry:
   1 + 2 = 3 3 _ _
4. So 19 × 19 = 361.

Murderous Maths London Covent Garden

The author of the Murderous Maths books demonstrates a few odd tricks filmed in London's Covent Garden