Choose two digits and arrange them to make two double-digit
numbers. Now add your double-digit numbers. Now add your single
digit numbers. Divide your double-digit answer by your single-digit
answer. Try lots of examples. What happens? Can you explain it?
What are the missing numbers in the pyramids?
A little bit of algebra explains this 'magic'. Ask a friend to pick 3 consecutive numbers and to tell you a multiple of 3. Then ask them to add the four numbers and multiply by 67, and to tell you the last two digits of her answer. Now you can really amaze her by giving the whole answer and the three consecutive numbers used at the start.
Choose any four consecutive even numbers. (For example: 6, 8,
10, 12). Multiply the two middle numbers together. (e.g. 8 x 10 =
80) Multiply the first and last numbers. (e.g. 6 x 12 = 72) Now
subtract your second answer from the first. (e.g. 80 - 72 = 8)
Try it with your own numbers. Why is the answer always 8?