The Amazing Prediction

The Amazing Prediction

Get Ready
Print out this page and carefully cut out the prediction below. Glue or tape
it to a piece of cardboard or thick paper so your friend can’t see through
it. Write PREDICTION on the back of it.
 Make
Make Magic!
Magic!
If you give your friend the following instructions, and he follows them exactly,
If you give your friend the following instructions, and he follows them exactly,
this magic trick will have a surprising ending. Hold the PREDICTION in your
this magic trick will have a surprising ending. Hold the PREDICTION in your
hand so your friend can’t see the picture. You may want to have a calculator
hand so your friend can’t see the picture. You may want to have a calculator
for your friend so he does the arithmetic correctly. Here’s what you say:
for your friend so he does the arithmetic correctly. Here’s what you say:
1. Think of a secret number between 1 and 20.
1. Think of a secret number between 1 and 20.
2. Double it.
2. Double it.
3. Add 12.
3. Add 12.
4. Divide your answer by 2.
4. Divide your answer by 2.
5. Now subtract your original secret number and remember the answer.
5. Now subtract your original secret number and remember the answer.
6. Change this answer into its corresponding letter of the alphabet.
6. Change this answer into its corresponding letter of the alphabet.
(1 is A, 2 is B, 3 is C and so on.)
(1 is A, 2 is B, 3 is C and so on.)
7. Think of a U.S. state that begins with that letter of the alphabet.
7. Think of a U.S. state that begins with that letter of the alphabet.
8. Now think of a fruit that begins with the last letter of that state.
8. Now think of a fruit that begins with the last letter of that state.
9. Tell me the name of the state and the fruit that you’re thinking of.
9. Tell me the name of the state and the fruit that you’re thinking of.
10. Really? I didn’t think apples grew in Florida.
10. Really? I didn’t think apples grew in Florida.
Turn over the picture to show your prediction was right.
Turn over the picture to show your prediction was right.
And what should you say if someone says apricot? You could say: “Really?
And what should you say if someone says apricot? You could say: “Really?
I didn’t think those grew in Florida. By the way, some people might think my
I didn’t think those grew in Florida. By the way, some people might think my
picture of an apricot looks like an apple, but it’s really just a blushing apricot!”
picture of an apricot looks like an apple, but it’s really just a blushing apricot!”

How’d
How’d itit Work?
Work?
Magicians call this a Force. Even though your friend could’ve picked any
Magicians call this a Force. Even though your friend could’ve picked any
number, the magic of mathematics (disguised in steps 2 – 5) made sure
number, the magic of mathematics (disguised in steps 2 – 5) made sure
that his final answer would be 6. Since FLORIDA is the only state that
that his final answer would be 6. Since FLORIDA is the only state that
begins with F, and APPLE is the most popular fruit that begins with A,
begins with F, and APPLE is the most popular fruit that begins with A,
your friend is “forced” to choose them both.
your friend is “forced” to choose them both.

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