How to Trick Friends with the 5000 Number Adding Trick

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Ask a friend to listen to your magic trick.

   Tell your friend that you won't need any special props.
   
   You'll just ask him to add together numbers in his head.
2. 2

   Step 2: Tell your friend to take 1000 and add 40.

   Tell him to hold the answer in his head.
   
   He does not need to say it out loud. , At this point, your friend should be thinking of
   2040. , Give your commands slowly.
   
   Allow your friend plenty of time to do the addition. , We're up to 3070 now, assuming your friend hasn't made a mistake. , Tell your friend to add 20, still keeping the number to himself. , Say that you'll add 1000 one last time, and that you're nearly done.
   
   Your friend should now be thinking of
   4090. , Say "Now add 10 and tell me the answer." If your friend hesitates, encourage him by saying, "you know the answer, what is it?"
   
   Most people will answer "5000" but this is not the right answer! 4090 + 10 actually equals
   4100.
   
   It's an easy mistake to make when speaking aloud, since the trick makes you think you're counting up to a big even number.
   
   You might need to write it on a piece of paper for your friend to believe it.
3. 3

   Step 3: Instruct him to add another 1000.

4. 4

   Step 4: Have your friend add another 30.

5. 5

   Step 5: Add another 1000.

6. 6

   Step 6: Add 20.

7. 7

   Step 7: Add one last 1000.

8. 8

   Step 8: Ask what you get when you add 10 to the number he's thinking of.

9. 9

   Step 9: Tell your friend the correct answer.

Detailed Guide

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