Math magician brings mind-bending tricks to Nova Scotia

Mikael Taieb, a math magician, dazzled Halifax classrooms this week.

When he was nine years old, Mikael Taieb was trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. His math teacher eventually showed him a solution, which set him down a path that eventually led to Canada’s Got Talent.

“He really helped me build my confidence,” Taieb said.

Taieb, a Rubik’s Cube artist and math magician, is hoping to impart that confidence onto future generations with his touring shows. He recently performed at LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary in Halifax, leading a workshop and a showcase.

“The goal of the workshop is to demonstrate how spectacular mathematics can be,” he said. “The brain is a muscle. Working with math and the Rubik’s Cube brings self confidence.

“It helps you to feel better about yourself and get some direct result of what you can do.”

Taieb’s math skills landed him a spot in season four of Canada’s Got Talent.

“It was an amazing experience and amazing exposure to bring art and math to the biggest stage of the country,” he said.

Taieb is hopeful his performances encourage people to explore the world of mathematics.

“Math can be for anyone, for any brain,” he said. “It can be very fun. Everyone is capable of amazing things.”

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