How does this stupid thing work?

[spotbird]

http://www.mysticalball.com/

[mike_c]

1. every possible outcome has the same symbol each time...

...although they change each time. Most of the numbers on that chart are smoke and mirrors-- only a few are ever the outcome of the formula. Try looking at the symbols for more than one combination rather than clicking....

Clever.

[sui generis]

2. the numeric interval between the sum of the numbers

subtracted from the original number is predictable. No matter which set of numbers you do this with, the symbol will always be the same (look how often the symbol repeats in the list).

When you click "try it again" it merely shuffles the symbols around so a different one shows when you try it again.

[Hans Delbrook]

3. It's simple really

The math "problem" they give you to do can only result in a multiple of the number 9 as the answer. All the multiples have the same symbol and that's the one that shows up when you click on the "Magic Ball.". When you try again - the symbol changes but again all multiples of nine have the same symbol and that's the one that shows up again.

[CaptainCorc]

4. Cute trick :)

If you follow the instructions for ANY of the two digit numbers you will come up with a number with that flower looking symbol next to it. To see what I mean, work out the numbers 10 through 19. Each one will land you on 9 which matches the crystal ball symbol. Then you can easily see that 20 through 29 will land you on 18 which again matches the crystal ball flower looking symbol.

[sans qualia]

5. A two digit number equals

10a+b, where a is the first digit and b is the second. The instructions tell you to add a and b, then subtract them from the original number, so you get 10a+b-(a+b) or 9a. So no matter what number you start with, you'll always get a multiple of 9. So all you need to do is give all multiples of 9 the same symbol and you have a "mystic" ball.

[Jack Schitt]

7. I could've figured that out.

[Jack Schitt]

6. The same symbol shows up 20 times.

That's a 1 in 5 chance for the guy to get it right. And for some reason, all the numbers 9 can go into evenly don't change their symbol (the one that's always picked).

There's complicated math stuff in there, and I don't know how to derive the equations, so I'll let you math geniuses tell everyone else how it works.

[spotbird]

8. Thank you all. nt