Digit Sticks

The performer hands the four wooden sticks to a spectator and has them mix the pieces thoroughly. The spectator then lays them out into four rows of four-digit numbers. Without hesitation, the performer names the total. A calculator is used—the sum is 100% correct.

The sticks are mixed again. This time, the spectator freely slides each log up or down, creating a random display of numbers with different digit lengths. Despite the apparent chaos, the performer instantly calls out the new total. Once again, it checks out perfectly.

For the final phase, the sticks are shuffled one last time. The performer immediately gives the answer—but it appears to be wrong. The performer smiles and explains the calculation was done using the back of the logs. The pieces are flipped over, and the total on the reverse side matches exactly, bringing the demonstration to a stunning finish. This can also be done with only 2 or 3 sticks.