Dice Tricks and Mathematical Principles

Dice Tricks and Mathematical Principles

Assessment

Interactive Video

Mathematics, Fun, Education

6th - 10th Grade

Hard

Created by

Liam Anderson

FREE Resource

The video demonstrates a dice trick using three standard D6 dice. The performer turns away while the participant rolls and stacks the dice. The participant adds the numbers on the touching faces and the bottom die, and the performer guesses the total. The trick relies on the mathematical property that opposite sides of a D6 add to 7. By glimpsing the top number, the performer can calculate the total by subtracting from 21. The video also discusses the relationship between magic and teaching, highlighting how magic can provoke curiosity and enhance learning.

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5 questions

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1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the first step the participant must do in the dice trick?

Roll the dice and stack them

Look at the bottom dice

Add the numbers on the top faces

Cover the dice with a hat

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What number does the performer often predict as the sum of the dice?

21

15

17

19

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the key mathematical property used in the dice trick?

The sum of all dice is always even

Opposite sides of a D6 add up to 7

All sides of a die add up to 21

The top number is always 6

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How does the performer ensure they know the total sum of the dice?

By using loaded dice

By asking the participant to reveal the numbers

By glimpsing the top number

By rolling the dice themselves

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the main contrast between magic tricks and teaching, according to the performer?

Both are about hiding information

Magic tricks mystify, while teaching explains

Teaching is about mystifying the audience

Magic tricks are about explaining clearly