On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger October 2023

Member Bob Goodwin performs as Dr. Zoltan The Amazing Fortune Teller

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

September Meeting

Our meeting was called to order by Dan Jones and we kicked off with our round-table question, "What big illusion inspires you the most"? A number of people liked Metamorphosis. Also mentioned were Zig-Zag, Origami, Interlude, sawing in half, levitations and Assistants Revenge.

Then member Bob Goodwin, our resident numbers guy,  kicked us of with a variety of mathematical related effects. As Dr. Zoltan he performed a prediction effect, a comedy number prediction with a clip-board that made mind readers of the audience and several other number effects. Bob then explained the principles behind the effects using a Magic Square, a 2-digit number force, a 3-digit number force and a force square.

Bob Goodwin as Dr. Zoltan

Next President Dan Jones walked us through some bits of business, including updates on the club picnic which had a great turnout, the upcoming Pop-Up Magic Shop (Flea Market) and the upcoming Parlor Show.

Then it was on to member performances.

• Ming and Barbara Loui performed with their classic Collector's Workshop snake basket.
• Karl and Bill did their original "Duo-Sphere" routine where the colored balls magically switch places between two stratospheres. That led into an original version of the 6 card repeat called "Bill's 3 Card Trick".
• Next, Kevin Peshik performed a "foolproof" any card at any number type routine where the deck turns out to be all jokers except one.
• Phil Mann performed several routines including the crystal cube silk production, a silk vanishing wand, a color changing die, silk to rose and a necklace trick.
• Dan Jones performed a coin vanish using sound effects.
• Finally, Mike Bogdas selected Charlie as a volunteer for a card selection and reveal.

Then it was on to fellowship and magic jamming for the remainder of the evening.

Pop-Up Magic Shop

The AAMC Pop-up Magic Shop was a great success. We sold out 18 tables and had tons of magic for sale. Our Treasurer reported we had 40 customers and overall netted just a bit under $425.

Don Oesterwind did a fantastic job as auctioneer and helped the club raise almost $250. We had a couple volunteers cancel at the last minute and Jackie Sanders volunteered to handle collecting admission charges. Thanks to Dan Jones who also helped with admissions and Rob Krozel who managed the table rentals and the concessions as our Treasurer. Rob also donated the beverages and candy. Special thanks to SAM President John Sturk who rented a table but also jumped in and demoed some items during the auction to add to the fun. Thanks also to all who either rented a table or attended and those that put items up for auction. The event wouldn't be possible without you. We hoped to have a better turnout from the community. That didn't happen. We will need to work on that for next year.

7 Vendors responded to a survey we sent out after the event. Here is how they rated the event in each of these areas.

We are using a benchmark method called Net Promotor Score (NPS) as an overall benchmark on customer (vendors) satisfaction. You can read more about Net Promotor Scores here.

Mathamagically Speaking By Bob Goodwin

#2 Forces: The Magic Square

In this and the next three issues of Mathamagically Speaking, I will explore four different ways of forcing a number on a spectator. This month I will cover The Magic Square. Specifically we will be covering the Pandiagonal Magic Square.

Traditionally a Magic Square is a square array of numbers (integers specifically) where the columns, rows and two main diagonals all add to the same number.

In this example, the three sided square adds up to 15 in all 8 directions. The "Order" of this magic square is 3 since it is 3x3. The "Magic Constant" in this example is 15.

There are many types of magic squares that add more ways in which the magic constant can be found. Below is an Euler diagram of requirements of some types of 4 × 4 magic squares. Each new layer adds a new type of matching while also including all the preceding matching. Cells of the same color sum to the magic constant.

In a Pandiagonal or PanMagic Square, selecting any four adjacent numbers in the same row, column, or  any diagonal adds to the desired force number. This includes diagonals that wrap off the edge of the square.

How To Calculate A 4 X 4 Pandiagonal Square

First each square is identified by an alphabetic label (A thru P).

Next, play with these two variables to arrive at the desired force number... For a 4x4 square, the force number (magic constant) will be (S x 4) + (30 x D)

• S = Smallest number in the square: 7 (example)
• D = Difference between each number: 2 (example)

So in this example (7x4) + (30x2)  = 28 + 60 = 88 for the Magic Constant.

Now, fill in the below table, starting with your smallest number and adding the "difference between each number" as you go across.

Now fill in the square, placing each number in the corresponding letter cell.

This square adds to 88 in all directions. Try it!

Reference The Zen of Magic Squares, Circles, And Stars' by Clifford A. Pickover, Ph.D., 2002, pg 68

If we now take this exact square and duplicate it so we have two magic squares over two more magic squares... or an 8x8 grid, we can use this for a force. This is shown below with shading for clarity, but for performing the squares should all look the same.

A spectator can select ANY of the 64 squares and then select in any available direction 4 squares adjacent to that square either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The 4 squares will add up to the force number.

How to use the square to force a number

1. First think of a routine where you want to force a number. Determine what number(s) fit the routine. If for example you are thinking of a Foursome's Golf Scores, you would want numbers in a reasonable range for golf. If you are forcing a year, you want a number in that range.
2. Next determine the numbers S and D (above) that will meet your criteria.
3. Fill in the force square. Duplicate it so it is 8x8 and dress it up to match your story line.
4. Now have the spectator select one square. For example, they could throw a dart at the 8x8 square.
5. Wherever the dart lands they can chose a direction... vertical, horizontal or diagonal.
6. They add the selected square and the 3 adjacent squares in the selected direction. This will total the force number
   

   7	33	19	29	7	33	19	29
   35	13	23	17	35	13	23	17
   25	15	37	11	25	15	37	11
   21	27	9	31	21	27	9	31
   7	33	19	29	7	33	19	29
   35	13	23	17	35	13	23	17
   25	15	37	11	25	15	37	11
   21	27	9	31	21	27	9	31

There are many routines that can use a Magic Square. What are your favorites? How would you adapt this principle for your own routine?

This article was edited by Karl Rabe

Note from the Editor...

Here is an excel spreadsheet you can use to generate a 4x4 magic square.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

Parlor Show

• Tickets are now on sale for our parlor show. Ticket sales are online. Go here to buy tickets.
• Sean is the show's Producer. Contact Sean if you would like to be in an upcoming show or want to assist. We can always use balloon artists, walk-around magicians, stage hands, front of house ticket takers, etc.
• Look for our posts on Facebook and please share with your family and friends.

Other Calendars

• Check out John Luka's Magic page and his well maintained list of Michigan Events
• All AAMC Events and details can be viewed on the website calendar.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

Magician Jokes

Q) How many magicians does it take to change a light bulb?

A) Change it into what?

Q) Okay, how many magicians does it take to replace a light bulb?

A) Fifteen. One to replace it, six to say, "You flashed!" and eight to say, "Let me show you my version of that."