# Number "mind reading" game **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-mind-reading-game/381589 "2006-11-23T22:34:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-mind-reading-game/381589/1 "2006-11-23T22:34:19Z")
So, check out this site [Wizardy - mind reader | milaadesign.com | online flash games | virtual tour provider](http://www.milaadesign.com/wizardy.html) Now, how does this work? I’ve tried it a few times, and even though the symbols have been different, it has chosen correctly each time. I’m sure there’s some simple mathematical explanation, but it is kind of creepy … ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-mind-reading-game/381589/2 "2006-11-23T22:38:45Z")
Adding all numbers together and subtracting that sum from the original number will end in a multiple of 9. If you look carefully, you will see all multiples of nine are the same symbol. ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-mind-reading-game/381589/3 "2006-11-23T23:12:26Z")
Thanks! You’re absolutely right. I knew it had to be something simple like that. If you pick “play again”, it swaps the symbol that is by the multiples of nine, so it’s not the same symbol twice in a row.