What is the secret?

If you follow the steps you'll always end up with a power of 9 (0, 9, 18, 27, etc.) Notice how a randomly assigned symbol is the same for all the powers of nine below 90.

Algebraically, if your digits are a and b, then your two digit number is 10a + b. Subtracting a and b, you have:

10a + b - a - b

= 9a

Since a is a digit from 0 to 9, your result is always in the set of:

0, 9, 18, 27, ..., 72, 81. And these numbers all get assigned the 'secret' symbol.

Edit: Kind of rude of yrzfuly to copy my whole answer!

It is very simple to explain in algebra... but in case you still do not know algebra, then I will try to explain it easier.

If you have a number, say 85, then it is equivalent to

80 + 5, or

10 x 8 + 5,

or generally 10 times the tens digit plus the ones digit.

If you subtract the tens digit, then there will only be 9 times the tens digit left.

E.g.

85 - 8

= 77

= 72 + 5

= 9 x 8 + 5

Then, if you subtract the ones digit, then it will automatically be removed.

E.g.

85 - 8 - 5

= 77 - 5

= 72

= 9 x 8

Generally,

Number = 10 x (tens digit) + ones digit

Subtracting the tens digit and the ones digit yields,

9 x (tens digit)

Therefore, the result (no matter what 2-digit number you choose) is always divisible by 9.

Now if you look at the table wherein you choose the symbol of your number, you will find that all the numbers divisible by 9 (namely 0, 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81 except 90) are all the same symbol, which is also the one you will choose!

Get it? It is simple!^_^

^_^

You can solve this by working back from 99, you'll find 81 first, then 72, 63, 54, 45, 36, 27, 18, 9, and 0. From then on you will always know the answer by checking zero.

I think it's more fun when you don't know the tricks sometimes though, makes you believe in magic just for a moment.

BTW, I encountered some bugs when I first tried the site, I just can't remember which numbers.

Your answer will always be 0 or a multiple of 9, and 0 and all multiples of 9 will be represented by the same symbol.

{ 0, 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81 }

All two digit numbers when substracted by the total of its' number are divisible by 9 while numbers 1-9 will always end up to zero. Same symbol was assigned to zero and the numbers divisible by nine.

This will be the same for all numbers greater than 100.

For example:

127

127-(1+2+7)

127-(10)

127-(1+0)

127-1

126 (divisible by 9)

you may try this to any other number and you will always end up with a number divisible by 9.

enjoy!

Spoiler Warning ....

Each set of the puzzle will always have the same answer no matter what number you start with.

When you "Try Again", a new set is presented but again it will have a NEW same answer for that set.

Check out a few numbers and you will see the pattern.

It is a good trick though!

There is another variation that uses 5 playing cards, equally impressive.

before i answer check this out: every time you get "the symbol" it's corresponding number is a multiple of 9 (except for 99, but you can't get to 99 using that formula). 0, 9, 18, 27... and so on are all multiples of 9 and have the same symbol.

the trick is: whenever you calculate that "formula", you'll get a multiple of 9.

so the program only shows in "the square" the symbol found on every multiple of 9.

It is no magic just a trick you"ll notice that any number you take when you follow the given procedure resulsts in a multiple of 9 and the sign of all the multiples of 9 keep cahnging.

everytime you have multiples of 9. everytime you click the square

the signs will keep changing for the multiples of 9 .so that you will be amazed. just a fooling thing.

haha.. the square gave me the wrong answer on the first try...

however, clicking it again, showed the number on the second click (the table)...

the table randomly changes as you continue... a programmable set of commands that is set when click....