Share <Embed>

List Price: $29.95

Save: $7.76 (26%)

FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

Arrives: Wednesday, Jan 6 Details

Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
As an alternative, the Kindle eBook is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app.

Secure transaction

Ships from	Amazon.com
Sold by	Amazon.com

Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Add a gift receipt with prices hidden

FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Jerryzon✅: Fast & Dependable 'Ye Olde Bibliophile'

Fulfilled by Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

$20.00
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: Becker Inc.

$21.90
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: SuperBookDeals-

$26.42
+ Free Shipping

Sold by: Publisher Direct

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

Follow the Author

Persi Diaconis

Magical Mathematics: The Mathematical Ideas That Animate Great Magic Tricks Hardcover – Illustrated, October 23, 2011

by Persi Diaconis (Author), Ron Graham (Author), Martin Gardner (Foreword)

63 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$9.99

—

Hardcover, Illustrated

"Please retry"

$22.19

$18.19

$2.29

Paperback

"Please retry"

$18.13

$11.09

$8.00

Magical Mathematics reveals the secrets of fun-to-perform card tricks―and the profound mathematical ideas behind them―that will astound even the most accomplished magician. Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham provide easy, step-by-step instructions for each trick, explaining how to set up the effect and offering tips on what to say and do while performing it. Each card trick introduces a new mathematical idea, and varying the tricks in turn takes readers to the very threshold of today's mathematical knowledge.

Diaconis and Graham tell the stories―and reveal the best tricks―of the eccentric and brilliant inventors of mathematical magic. The book exposes old gambling secrets through the mathematics of shuffling cards, explains the classic street-gambling scam of three-card Monte, traces the history of mathematical magic back to the oldest mathematical trick―and much more.

Print length

264 pages
Language:

English
Publisher

Princeton University Press
Publication date

October 23, 2011
Dimensions

8.71 x 0.81 x 9.65 inches
ISBN-10

0691151644
ISBN-13

978-0691151649
See all details

Frequently bought together

Total price: $40.29

One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:Magical Mathematics: The Mathematical Ideas That Animate Great Magic Tricks by Persi Diaconis Hardcover $22.19
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details
Ten Great Ideas about Chance by Persi Diaconis Hardcover $18.10
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Karl Fulves

443

Paperback
$5.99
Persi Diaconis

28

Hardcover
$18.10
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
Martin Gardner

72

Paperback
$11.49
Only 7 left in stock - order soon.
Colm Mulcahy

19

Hardcover
$39.92
Only 14 left in stock - order soon.
Martin Gardner

528

Paperback
$6.94
Only 12 left in stock (more on the way).
Ehrhard Behrends

1

Paperback
$30.00

Special offers and product promotions

Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mathematical Magic is a truly magical book, containing ample amounts of mathematics and magic that will amaze and amuse. Diaconis and Graham are both first-rate mathematicians and performers and offer insights and ideas that could not have been expressed by anyone else. This book is destined to be a classic on the subject."---Arthur Benjamin, SIAM

"While there are other books out there detailing the relationship between mathematics and magic, this book is perhaps the best written of them all, as it will appeal to magicians, math buffs and general readers alike."---R. S. Beer, MagicBookReviews.com

"Magical Mathematics is an absolutely remarkable book. I don't say this lightly. Publishers send me plenty of books to review. Some I like more than others. Magical Mathematics is a fantastic book for someone who wants to explore the non-trivial math behind some impressive magic tricks. While I enjoy purely recreational math puzzles that have no practical application I also love it when I discover challenges that are interesting and relevant. Magical Mathematics is chock full of fun (and deep) challenges that students (and adults) can sink their teeth into."---Wild About Math blog,

"Reading Magical Mathematics . . . had . . . [a] powerful effect on me. I was transported to a strange and shadowy world of card tricks and magic that, at the same time, was miraculously a land of mathematics, a land with substance. . . . Barely ten pages into the book I am completely hooked."---John J Watkins, Mathematical Reviews

"This is a splendid book with lots of wonderful insights. . . . Give this book a try; you certainly will not be disappointed."---Phil Dyke, Leonardo Reviews

"The Riemann hypothesis, the Mandelbrot set, Fermat's last theorem--these mathematical notions and others underlie all manner of magic tricks. Mathematicians Persi Diaconis--also a card magician--and Ron Graham--also a juggler--unveil the connections between magic and math in this well-illustrated volume.", Scientific American

"Writing for the public, the two authors share their passions, teaching sophisticated mathematical concepts along with interesting card tricks, which rely upon those principles for their workings.", GENII: The Conjurors' Magazine

"Winner of the 2013 Euler Book Prize, Mathematical Association of America"

"The authors are master storytellers. . . . [T]he authors offer advice and recommendations for further pursuits in mathematics, magic and juggling."---Cut-the-Knot blog,

"From arcane theories to practical tips for working magicians, the authors go behind the curtain and reveal how the pros do it.", San Jose Mercury News

Review

"A truly stunning exposition by two masters in the field. Diaconis and Graham trace the fascinating relationship between mathematics and magic, which goes back at least eight hundred years. Nothing like this has been published before. Magical Mathematics is a huge contribution both to magic and mathematics."―Colm Mulcahy, author of Card Colm, an online column hosted by the Mathematical Association of America

From the Inside Flap

"Finally a book that celebrates the math involved in magic. This is quite simply the most brilliant book ever written on this mind-blowing, highly secretive field."--David Blaine, illusionist

"A remarkably appealing concoction of conjuring, invention, education, science, homage, and memoir--it is like no other book in the long history of magic."--Ricky Jay, author, actor, and one of the world's best sleight-of-hand artists

"A truly stunning exposition by two masters in the field. Diaconis and Graham trace the fascinating relationship between mathematics and magic, which goes back at least eight hundred years. Nothing like this has been published before.Magical Mathematics is a huge contribution both to magic and mathematics."--Colm Mulcahy, author ofCard Colm, an online column hosted by the Mathematical Association of America

"Magical Mathematics is a truly magical book, containing ample amounts of mathematics and magic that will amaze and amuse. Diaconis and Graham are both first-rate mathematicians and performers, and offer insights and ideas that could not have been expressed by anyone else. This book is destined to be a classic on the subject."--Arthur Benjamin, coauthor ofSecrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks

"This is a wonderful book, unique and engaging. Diaconis and Graham manage to convey the awe and marvels of mathematics, and of magic tricks, especially those that depend fundamentally on mathematical ideas. They range over many delicious topics, giving us an enchanting personal view of the history and practice of magic, of mathematics, and of the fascinating connection between the two cultures.Magical Mathematics will have an utterly devoted readership."--Barry Mazur, author ofImagining Numbers: (particularly the square root of minus fifteen)

"Magical Mathematics is a wonder to behold. It instantly seduces the reader with goodies new and old, and is just as perfect for long-term study. There are also surprises for those well familiar with the magical realm."--Robert E. Neale, magician

From the Back Cover

"Finally a book that celebrates the math involved in magic. This is quite simply the most brilliant book ever written on this mind-blowing, highly secretive field."--David Blaine, illusionist

"A truly stunning exposition by two masters in the field. Diaconis and Graham trace the fascinating relationship between mathematics and magic, which goes back at least eight hundred years. Nothing like this has been published before. Magical Mathematics is a huge contribution both to magic and mathematics."--Colm Mulcahy, author of Card Colm, an online column hosted by the Mathematical Association of America

"Magical Mathematics is a truly magical book, containing ample amounts of mathematics and magic that will amaze and amuse. Diaconis and Graham are both first-rate mathematicians and performers, and offer insights and ideas that could not have been expressed by anyone else. This book is destined to be a classic on the subject."--Arthur Benjamin, coauthor of Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks

"This is a wonderful book, unique and engaging. Diaconis and Graham manage to convey the awe and marvels of mathematics, and of magic tricks, especially those that depend fundamentally on mathematical ideas. They range over many delicious topics, giving us an enchanting personal view of the history and practice of magic, of mathematics, and of the fascinating connection between the two cultures. Magical Mathematics will have an utterly devoted readership."--Barry Mazur, author of Imagining Numbers: (particularly the square root of minus fifteen)

About the Author

Persi Diaconis is professor of mathematics and statistics at Stanford University, and a former professional magician. Ron Graham is professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of California, San Diego, and a former professional juggler.

Publisher : Princeton University Press; Illustrated edition (October 23, 2011)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 264 pages
ISBN-10 : 0691151644
ISBN-13 : 978-0691151649
Item Weight : 1.75 pounds
Dimensions : 8.71 x 0.81 x 9.65 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #778,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #227 in Magic & Illusion
- #318 in Magic Tricks
- #434 in Math Games

Customer Reviews:
63 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		60%
4 star		21%
3 star		11%
2 star		5%
1 star		3%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

David Walden

A uniquely wonderful book

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

Some of the customer reviews are down on this book because it is not what they want the book to be. I recommend enjoying the book for what it is; and there is enough variety for some parts of the book to appeal to everyone. As the famous magician Ricky Jay says in his back cover blurb, it is, "A remarkably appealing concoction of conjuring, invention, education, science, homage, and memoir." It is easy to skip the math that is too complicated (and it's really not that large a part of the book), and some of the math is just arithmetic and basic calculation of odds. I'll never try to perform a magic trick or study heavy math, but I do like puzzles and games; and this book is plenty interesting enough in the puzzles-and-games dimension. And, personally, I like the book's memoir (both of the authors have had fascinating lives) and homage (the author's describe a nice, if not comprehensive, selection of interesting people they venerate). Since the book arrived from Amazon a few days ago, I have thumbed through the entire book and read many parts in detail. I expect I will continue to dip into the book over the coming weeks concentrating on understanding the not-really-difficult-but-complicated parts a bit at a time. I am also looking at some videos on the net that demonstrate some of the tricks discussed in this book. I definitely will mention this book to anyone who asks, "Have you seen any interesting books lately?" And I am certain I will go to the library to check out some of the books in the bibliographic notes at the end of this book.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

NGNEER

Fun for those that enjoy math & learn a few tricks too

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2015

Verified Purchase

Fun and interesting. Light and also serious. If you like math you'll enjoy this book. The book wanders in the later chapters but starts with fun magic and math. The book raises and partially explains some lesser known mathematical theory while using the properties to explain magic tricks. The magic tricks described are real and can be done by anyone - once revealed. Though an engineer and a math-o-phile I had to work more than expected on some of the concepts with which I was unfamiliar. You might not understand it all, but you will enjoy reading it, and you'll have a few parlor tricks for your next party.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Sami Assaf

A seductive introduction to the beauty of mathematics

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2011

Verified Purchase

The book is packed with fantastic card tricks that will surely dazzle friends and family (with enough practice), but goes beyond this by explaining the beautiful (often deep) mathematics behind the tricks. The book intersperses magic and mathematics in an engaging way that keeps the reader hooked. The book begins with a simple 4 card trick. Well, simple enough to perform; understanding is a different matter. The authors then explain what mathematical concepts (mostly involving combinations and permutations) are at the heart of the trick, and then generalize the principle involved into a truly impressive, more elaborate card trick. After that, it's back to math to see exactly how and why the magic works. Later chapters follow similar patterns, where the reader is drawn in by a beautiful card trick and the beauty is then heightened with a clear explanation of the underlying mathematics. Along the way, the authors give excellent advice on how often to rehearse the tricks before performing as well as entertaining tips to make for a more engaging performance. The mathematics is presented in digestible bites, with excellent examples and illuminating illustrations.

But be warned: this isn't your simple high school math! Many of these tricks employ sophisticated mathematics using Combinatorics, Group Theory, Graph Theory and more. Fortunately, the authors are adept at explaining these complicated concepts in a clear fashion, but the novice reader may have some trouble following some of the proofs. Hopefully, the reader will be so inspired by the beauty of the subject, that she'll see it as motivation to learn more mathematics! In fact, the authors' unapologetic goal with this text is to corrupt youngsters of all ages into pursuing mathematics in much the same way that the authors themselves were seduced by the subject. Here's hoping they succeed with you as they have with me!

63 people found this helpful

Helpful

Frosted Flaker

If you like math and magic

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

Well written. If you like math and magic, this is for you. Just wonderful, VERY engaging tricks for the amateur magician. Not written in such a dumbed down level as to bore you, but also doesn't overly write the tricks so they are hard to understand. Perfectly written with some illustrations to capture your attention.

Probably would rate this a 9 out of 10.

Helpful

N. Moyer

three really great tricks in the first few pages make the book ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2016

Verified Purchase

three really great tricks in the first few pages make the book worth getting. However it rapidly turns into a mathematical jumble of numbers that only a mathematician would appreciate or understand. Way, way over my head!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Saga

very mathematics heavy magic book

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

Nice mathematical magic book with maths details of the trick . if you like to know the maths be
hind the tricks, this book is for youI like the tricks part but the mathematics is too heavy for m

Helpful

Michael P. Goldenberg

Great book for lovers of mathematics and magic

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2012

Verified Purchase

Two great mathematicians share the interplay between mathematics and magic, as well as practical applications in other areas for the mathematics that informs some stunning tricks. I'm not a performer, but I can readily see how much impact these tricks would be if performed by someone who put in the requisite practice. For me, the payoff is the math itself.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Denissa Pope

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

Really an interesting book.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

IN YOUR OWN WORDS LTD. Consignment

Greati

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

Excellent book

David Straker

magical mathematics

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2012

Verified Purchase

Everyone should read it - especially if they "can't do maths"! It opens a whole new door to the world of numbers and conjuring. (And service from the book dealer was first class.)

One person found this helpful

Tillmann Miltzow

mathematics a little short

Reviewed in Germany on September 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

Hi I have read the first three chapters so far and liked it.
This book is fascinating. It explains nice card tricks, but a lot of this book is handwavy and I had the impression that the authors tried to avoid explaining a lot of mathemtics.

For instance: they give the enumeration formula of DeBruijn sequences, but do not give a proof. Many things are mentioned but not proved. I had hoped for less chatting about how fascinating everything is, but more card tricks and their proofs.

But maybe the next chapters are more of the kind that I like.

One person found this helpful

Edward E Hammond

A technical Manual for Magicians

Reviewed in Canada on June 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

I am not a mathematician or even a particularly good amature magician but if you want to really read and think ,this book brings to light ideas such as perfect shuffles and the men who invented great ideas in the magical field. It is interesting that one of the great modern magicians Ricky Jay, tips his hat to on of the authors for inspiring him to be a magician. I also was at a Penn and Teller performance where they too mentioned one of the writers as the authority on card magic. A fascinating book if you can get through the mathematical jargon.

miguel puga ortiz

Great book

Reviewed in Spain on May 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Fantástico libro sobre la aplicación de las matemáticas al Arte del Ilusionismo. Brillante estudio por parte de dos de los mejores exponentes del genero.

Translate review to English

See all reviews