How to Do a Word Prediction Magic Trick With a Calculator

The calculator word prediction trick, or "book trick," is a cool magic trick that can astonish an audience. The trick is not complicated to set up, which makes the result seem that much more amazing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Book
• Slip of paper
• Calculator

1. Write the selected word in advance by turning to the appropriate page and line in the book. Write the word on a slip of paper and place the word face down on top of the pre-selected book.

2. Have the volunteer come up with a three-digit number. If the word prediction trick follows a previous trick where the volunteer chose a three-digit number use that number.

3. Reverse the original three digit number and subtract the smaller number from the larger number. Add the first and last digits of the result to get 99. For example, if the number was 129, 921 minus 129 equals 792. Add 7 plus 2 to get 9 and create 99.

4. Add a zero to the end of the result to make 990. Add a zero to the beginning to make 099. Add the two numbers together and the result should be 1089.

5. Have the volunteer turn to page 10 in the selected book; count down eight lines and over to the ninth word. A variation of this method would have the volunteer turn to page 108 and read the ninth word.

6. Have the volunteer turn over the paper with the selected word. Give the volunteer and audience the appropriate amount of time to be properly amazed before moving along to the next trick.