Mathematics and Card Magic

Surprising magic sometimes relies on deep mathematical principles. However, if the magician is doing her job, those principles should not be apparent to the spectator … unless the magician is a math professor giving a Wonderfest presentation! Combining the mathematics of playing cards with sleight of hand can: (1) allow even more powerful magic to arise, (2) raise some intriguing mathematical questions, and (3) illuminate the creative process that leads to original card magic.

Our Wonderfest speaker is Dr. Tori Noquez, Asst. Professor of Mathematics and of Computer Science at Saint Mary’s College of California. Tori is a regular performer at Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, and she has been featured on Penn & Teller: Fool us.