How to Trick Friends with the 5000 Number Adding Trick

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

Trick your friends with this basic math problem, with no magician skills required. Although it's nothing but addition, the pattern tricks most people into making a mistake.

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Tell your friend that you won't need any special props. You'll just ask them to add together numbers in their head.
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Tell them to hold the answer in their head. They do not need to say it out loud.

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At this point, your friend should be thinking of 2040.
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Give your commands slowly. Allow your friend plenty of time to do the addition.
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We're up to 3070 now, assuming your friend hasn't made a mistake.
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Tell your friend to add 20, still keeping the number to themself.
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Say that you'll add 1000 one last time, and that you're nearly done. Your friend should now be thinking of 4090.
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Say "Now add 10 and tell me the answer." If your friend hesitates, encourage them by saying, "you know the answer, what is it?"
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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.

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Tips

If you're still confused, add the "1000s" separately: 1000 + 1000 + 1000 + 1000 = 4000. Now add the other digits separately: 40 + 30 + 20 + 10 = 100. What's 4000 + 100?

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Warnings

Most children younger than 8 will have trouble with this math. ^{[1]
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