Noah Gochnauer assignment 1

Math is the process of computing outcomes using equations that often contain numbers. I think there are three major steps in using math effectively. First, converting a scenario into the appropriate combination of numbers and symbols necessary for calculations. Second, manipulating the numbers and symbols to achieve new outcomes and results. Third, taking the output of the calculations and translating it into meaningful knowledge. Academically, mathematics is about learning the processes involved in these steps, and discovering new ways to perform calculations or simplify existing methods.

I view magic as a performance art, focused on tricks and sleight of hand to befuddle the audience in order to produce results they hadn't expected. Magicians draw on many fields in order to accomplish such acts. Physics, theatrics, psychology, chemistry, kinesiology, math, and many other disciplines are all necessary for various performances. While magic and mathematics are different, magic does contain math, such as combinatoric math for card tricks. The opposite is not true, math often attempts to explain mysterious connections rather than propagate them. While math can be applied to magic it is best that they maintain their separate identities. Magic would be quite dull if all aspects of it other than math were eliminated; and, if math attempted to be mysterious and unpredictable on purpose, it would arouse much more distaste than it does already.

Personally, I enjoy some of the flashier magic tricks. I enjoy when someone can skillfully make things appear and disappear, leaving me questioning how they managed to do it. These tricks are more sleight of hand and prop based than mathematical in nature though. They contain math at the most basic level, as everything does, but I would not consider them to be math tricks by any means.