After exploring the world of television—the ultimate magic box—in issue 31 we return to the school desks to rediscover a subject often hated yet fundamental to the development of the world: mathematics. Naturally, we’ll examine its influence on the magical and illusionist arts, discovering that it is more present than we might think.

Often, when we think of so-called “mathematical” magic tricks, we recall those simple card tricks our uncle performed when we were children: splitting cards into piles, choosing a card, and after a bit of math, the amateur magician would “magically” find the chosen one. Needless to say, mathematics applied to conjuring is far more complex and cannot be reduced to these elementary tricks, as Lorenzo Paletti—co-editor of this issue—explains in his articles.

There is a deep historical link between the magical arts and mathematics, as we discover by examining 18th-century texts by Ozanam and Guyot. Published under the title Recreations Mathématiques, they also included *tours de gibecière*, or sleight-of-hand tricks. It's not surprising to find explanations in those pages of tricks that are only loosely mathematical, such as the cups and balls or small escapology effects.

In short, mathematics has always absorbed the art of magic—even if sometimes in inconsistent ways. These two universes have crossed and embraced each other many times throughout history, ultimately finding a shared purpose, acknowledging the debts and contributions each discipline owes the other.

Issue 31 also features a deep dive into magic squares thanks to an extensive article by Lorenzo Berdini. The historical section includes a long biography of the "great magician" Watry by Angelo Mitri, and the rediscovery of legendary figures such as Girolamo Cardano, Fra Luca Pacioli, and the modern Martin Gardner, all deeply connected to mathematical magic. Of course, the regular columns by Silvan, Gianfranco Preverino, and Raul Cremona are also included.

This issue reminds us that mathematics, far from being cold and sterile, can be a true source of magical emotion.