The 1089 magic trick — Maths trick for kids

The trick

Reverse and subtract — “the difference is always in the 99 table, so the final sum is always 1089”

1. Reverse the number and take the smaller number away from the bigger one.
2. The answer is always one of 198, 297, 396, 495, 594, 693, 792, 891: middle digit 9, first and last digits adding to 9.
3. Reverse that answer and add: you always get 1089.

Use it for: A show-stopper magic trick, and great practice for 3-digit subtraction and addition.

Worked example: Take 732. Reverse its digits and take the smaller number away from the bigger one. What do you get? → 495

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Trick 7 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🎩 1089 Magician badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 5 tricks of Part 2 · Number magic. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ 1089 Trick Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)