Maths tricks · trick 6 of 25 · free

Think of a number — Maths trick for kids

Ask a friend to think of a number, do some steps and tell you the result — then “read their mind” and say the number they started with. The secret is working backwards: undo the last step first.

The trick

Undo the steps — “to find the start number, undo each step from the last to the first”

  1. Going forwards: do the steps in order.
  2. Going backwards: start from the result and undo each step, last one first.
  3. Undo + with −, × with ÷, and doubling with halving.

Use it for: Magic tricks for family and friends, and solving “I think of a number” puzzles in school tests.

Worked example: I thought of a number, multiplied it by 3 and added 4. I got 25. What was my number? → 7

  1. Undo “add 4”: 25 − 4 = 21.
  2. Undo “multiply by 3”: 21 ÷ 3 = 7.

Check: 7 × 3 + 4 = 21 + 4 = 25 ✓

✏️ Practice

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

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🏁 Trick 6 test

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

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🖨️ Think of a Number Puzzles Worksheet

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