54. Non-Magic Magic
More Card Tricks
Merlin calls on two of the apprentice sorcerers to
entertain with magic tricks using an ordinary deck of
cards. Unfortunately, neither apprentice has practised
enough to be very good at card tricks. They are at the
mercy of the laws of chance.
If each one pulls a card at random from a deck of 52
cards, who has the better chance of being a successful
magician: Lorelei, who promises to come up with one
of the four aces? Or Urth, who claims his first card will
be one of the 13 hearts?
Clues on page 92.
Answer on pages 125-126.
55.
Will Lorelei have a better chance of coming up with
two aces if she returns the first ace she draws to the
deck or if she puts it aside?
56. Hearts for Urth
Will Urth have a better chance of coming up with two
hearts if he returns the first heart to the deck or if he
puts it aside?
57. Go Fish
Merlin provides some fun by stocking the castle
pond with a fish for each guest. Two of the thirty fish
he endows with enchantment.
The student wizards and sorcerers take turns casting.
Does Pendragon, apprentice to the not-so-wily wiz-
ard of Trelawn, have a better chance of luring an en-
chanted fish if he goes first or if he casts tenth and one
enchanted fish has already been caught?
58. Two Enchanted Pish?
What are the chances that Pendragon and Elaine of
Camelot both get enchanted fish?
Clues on page 92.
Answers on page 126.