MAGIC-THE ENVELOPE TRICK

Things that we need

• piece of paper
• a pen
• an envelope

Procedure

The magician asks for a volunteer to write down four numbers on a piece of paper.

The magician asks the volunteer to TOTAL up the numbers.

The magician opens a sealed envelope and it has the same number as the TOTAL!

(or have the magic puppet pull out an envelope and hand it to the magician.  Have the puppet "whisper" to the magician to open up the envelope.)

Secret

Before the show, write down a four figure number that is 2 times the current year's date.  For example, in the year 2000, the number would = 4000.  In the year 2001, the number would = 4002

Seal the paper in the envelope.

At the show, ask a helper to write down the year he was born.

Ask him to write down the year of an important event in his life (for example, the year he started school or the year he lost his first tooth)

Ask him to write down his age
(How many years old will you be at the end of the current year?)

Ask him to write down the number of years that have passed since the important event
(What anniversary will you celebrate in the current year?)

(these numbers HAVE to be right *grin*...  If it's been 4 years since the event and he writes down 3, the trick won't work)

The years have to be whole numbers (he can't say he's 6 and a half years old...it has to be 7.)

Have the assistant TOTAL the 4 numbers.

Open the envelope.  The TOTAL will be the same as the number you already wrote down!

For example:
The year is 2011.  (Times two is 4022 which is the number written on the paper in the envelope.)
Kaitlyn was born in 1997
She will turn 14 this year.
Kaitlyn started school in 2002.
In 2011 she will celebrate her 9th anniversary since she started school.

1997 + 14 + 2002 + 9 = 4022 the same as the number in the envelope.