How to Solve a Magic Square

How to Solve a Magic Square

This is a magic square.
The objective  of a magic square is to put a number in each of the boxes. (The numbers must have an arithmetic sequence pattern.) However, there is a catch. The sum of each row,  column, and diagonal must be the same. Now try to solve it.

Solution:

Solving the magic square can be pretty tough, but by knowing the right strategy you can make it a lot easier. This strategy will work on any magic square with an odd number of boxes on each side. I will demonstrate this strategy with a 3 by 3 magic square. First, you must put a 1 in the top middle square. Then, put the 2 a right diagonal above the 1. However, there is no box there, so put it at the bottom of the column it is above. Then, put the 3 a right diagonal above the 2. However, there is no box there, so put it at the far left of that row. Next, try to put the 4 a right diagonal above the 3. However, that spot is already occupied, so put the 4 one box under the 3. Repeat this pattern till all the boxes are filled. Nice job, you solved the magic square. I hope you had fun! Now, go show it to all your friends!

Completed 3 by 3 Magic Square With Steps:
Completed 3 by 3 Magic Square Without Steps:









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discover PI

Image
My goal of teaching math is to "discover" math and not "memorize math".How many of you have heard of Pi? Not PIE as in food , I mean the mathematical Pi :-) Let's begin: How many of you know what a circle is ?  It has a radius ( R), Diameter ( D ) and Circumference ( C ).  Simple, right?: Now what is circumference and how do we calculate it? Circumference is basically the length of the circle. Calculating Circumference : Draw a perfect circle on piece of paper. Take a thread and place it around the circle. ( Use tape or thumbtacks to hold the thread intact). Now measure the thread length on a ruler. Genius!! You just found the circumference of a circle. ( let's say its called C1 with diameter D1) While you pat yourself, imagine you have measure a large, giant circle's circumference ( think of a truck tire). You can't easily measure it using our thread experiment, can you? Now here is when math kicks in. Repeat  your circle experime...
Read more

The area!!

Image
Have you ever wondered how people used to calculate the land they have. I have wondered this too. The way they did this is by area. So, do you know what area is? Area, basically means a place. But, you might be thinking, how could this be related to math. Well, I'm 99% sure you are right. Area is the calculation to figure out the measurement of a surface. So, let's get back to the people of the old times. How did they figure out area. Some might have not even been educated! The way they did it was simple and easy. You could try it too. First, make a 3 centimeters by 5 centimeters rectangle. Then, every centimeter draw a line going to exactly the opposite side. I recommend us ing a ruler. (Not exact measurements) Now, the most simple part is to count how many squares there are. Great Job! This is how people used to calculate how much land they had, or the area of their land. But, they probably had land a lot  larger than a 5 cm by 3 cm rectangle. I mean, you coul...
Read more