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Section IV

Logical T h i n k i n g a n d Some P u z z l e s

MAGIC TRIANGLE LOGIC

Grades 2-8
r-i

. i g r o u p a c t, i;v i: t, y
total
c o o p e r a ti v e a c t i v i t y

L J
n

independent a c t i v i t y

concrete/manipulative
visual/pictorial
.
.
abstract procedure
K

Why Do It:
To logically m a n i p u l a t e the s a m e n u m b e r s to achieve m u l t i p l e solutions and, at the s a m e
t i m e , to p r a c t i c e m e n t a l m a t h e m a t i c s .
You Will Need:
A Magic Triangle w i t h four n u m b e r s p o t s a l o n g e a c h e d g e a n d t h e n u m e r a l s 1
t h r o u g h 9 p r i n t e d on m a r k e r s small enough to fit into those spots; plus, for r e c o r d keeping p u r p o s e s , a
" M a g i c Triangle S o l u t i o n s " sheet ( m a s t e r copies p r o v i d e d ) .

How to Do It:
Tell the players that they are to place the n u m e r a l s 1 t h r o u g h 9 in the n u m b e r spots
so that the s u m of each e d g e of the t r i a n g l e is the s a m e . Let t h e m k n o w that t h e r e are several c o r r e c t
solutions, but that you a r e n ' t s u r e how many. Work one or t w o Magic Triangles together and then challenge t h e m to find and r e c o r d as m a n y solutions as they can. T h i s activity can b e ongoing for several
days or even weeks.
Example:

Two Magic Triangle

Solution

solutions a r e shown below (at least 10 m o r e are possible).

for 20

Solution

for 1 7

Extensions:
1. Challenge the players to d e t e r m i n e t h e g r e a t e s t sum possible.
. W h a t is the smallest possible s u m ?
J . W h i c h sum found has the g r e a t e s t n u m b e r of different Magic Triangle
4. W h a t other n u m b e r s will work to f o r m Magic Triangles?

combinations?

( W h a t of 2 3 t h r o u g h 3 1 , etc.?)

 1995 by The Center for Applied Research in Education

MAGIC TRIANGLE

MAGIC TRIANGLE SOLUTIONS

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