Monday, January 9, 2012

Magic Squares


Magicsquareexample.svg
magic square of order 3 is an arrangement of 3x3 = 32 = 9 numbers, usually distinct integers, in a square, such that the 3 numbers in all rows, all columns, and both diagonals sum to the same constant. A normal magic square of order 3 contains the integers from 1 to 9.
Normal magic squares exist for all orders greater than 3, although order 1 magic square consists of a single cell containing the number 1. It's impossible to construct a magic square of order 2.
Iron plate with an order 6 magic square
 in Arabic numbers from China,
dating to the
Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368).
The constant sum in every row, column and diagonal is called the magic constant or magic sum, M.
Magic squares have fascinated humanity throughout the ages, and have been around for over 4,120 years. 
A magic square on the
Sagrada Familia church façade
There are magic squares in a lot of cultures, for example Egypt and India. They are on stone or metal and used as talismans, because people believed that magic squares had powers like longevity and prevention of diseases.
Source: Wikipedia

Now it's your turn:
Place integers from -4 to 4 in a magic square of order 3. Which number is the magic constant? How do you make your magic square? You have to do it in your notebook and show it to your teacher next wednesday january 11th.

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