5 Math Tricks That’ll Blow Your Friends’ Minds

Math isn’t just about formulas and exams—it can actually be cool. Imagine surprising your friends by guessing their age, doing “impossible” mental calculations, or predicting a number they secretly chose.

Sound like magic? It’s actually just math—with a twist.

Here are 5 fun and impressive math tricks that anyone can learn and use to wow their friends (and maybe even look like a genius at parties).

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1. The “Guess Your Age” Trick

Ask your friend to do the following:

1. Think of their birth year.
2. Multiply it by 2.
3. Add 5.
4. Multiply by 50.
5. Add their age.
6. Subtract 3650.
7. Add 115.

Boom. The answer will be their birth year followed by their age!

Example:
Suppose the person was born in 2002 and is 23 years old.
Final number: 200223

It looks complex, but it works because of how the numbers are structured in the steps. A perfect blend of logic and fun.

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2. The 1089 Trick (Works Every Time!)

Ask someone to:

1. Think of a 3-digit number where the first and last digits differ by at least 2.
   (e.g., 421)
2. Reverse the number.
   (→ 124)
3. Subtract the smaller from the larger.
   (→ 421 - 124 = 297)
4. Reverse the result.
   (→ 792)
5. Add both.
   (→ 297 + 792 = 1089)

The answer will always be 1089. Every time. No exceptions.

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3. The “11 Times” Speed Trick

Want to multiply any 2-digit number by 11 instantly?

Just add the digits and place the sum in the middle!

Example:
23 × 11
→ 2 (2+3) 3
→ 2 + 3 = 5
→ Final answer: 253

Note: If the middle digit goes above 9, carry it over.

Example:
78 × 11
→ 7 (7+8) 8 → 7 (15) 8
→ Add the carry: 7 + 1 = 8 → 858

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4. Multiplying by 5 in Seconds

Here’s how to quickly multiply any number by 5:

• If the number is even, halve it and add a zero.
• If the number is odd, subtract 1 (make it even), halve it, and add 5.

Examples:
68 × 5 → 68 is even → 68 ÷ 2 = 34 → Add zero → 340

47 × 5 → 47 is odd → 46 ÷ 2 = 23 → Add 5 → 235

Simple, right? Try it a few times and you'll never go back.

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5. The "Pick a Number" Mind Reader

Tell your friend:

Think of any number (don’t tell me).
Multiply it by 2.
Add 10.
Divide by 2.
Subtract the original number.

Now you say: “Your final number is 5.”

It always ends up being 5, no matter what they pick.

Why it works:
You doubled, added 10, halved it, then subtracted the original—leaving half of 10 = 5.

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Final Thought: Math is Your Secret Superpower

These tricks aren’t just fun—they show how powerful math really is. Underneath the “magic” is logic, structure, and some cool shortcuts. Whether you’re a student or just someone who loves brainy fun, these are simple ways to impress and inspire.

So next time you’re with friends, drop one of these and watch their jaws hit the floor.

Math = cool. Pass it on.