6?

It is obvious that such a problem is likely

Making magic squares of
to come after every 5 numbers.
Odd size
– Building a logic
16 9 2 25 18
Let us try to make a magic square of size 17 15 8 1 24 17
5x5. It will obviously contain numbers from 1
23 16 14 7 5 23
to 25. We can also call it a magic square of
order 5. To make such a square, consider
4 22 20 13 6 4
the magic square as a tile in a mosaic as 10 3 21 19 12 10
shown below. Let us start writing numbers
9 2 25 18 11
starting from 1 in the middle column of first
row and then diagonally moving towards
northwest i.e. 1 in Cell (1,3) i.e. third column
Let us continue in a similar pattern following
of first row. This way, we have to write 2 in
the earlier rule and write this to the south of
the Cell (0,2) and considering the magic
Cell (4,5) containing 10 i.e, in Cell (5,5).
square as a tile in mosaic, this is equivalent
Now, we can continue to northwest till we
to writing it in Cell (5,2). Moving northwest,
reach 15, which falls in Cell (1,1). Then 16
3 will obviously fall in Cell (4,1) and 4 can
should fall in Cell (0,0), but considering the
be written only in Cell (3,0) i.e. Cell (3,5) –
square to be mosaic this is equivalent to
as we consider the square as a tile in
Cell (5,5), hence we again move to south
mosaic. The number 5 will then follow in
i.e. Cell (2,1). Continue to in similar pattern
Cell (2,4).
17 comes in Cell (1,0) i.e. Cell (1,5), then 18
in Cell (0,4) i.e. Cell (5,4), 19 in Cell (4,3)
This will, however, create a problem as 6
and 20 in Cell (3,2). Again move south (note
falls in Cell (1,3), but the latter is already
Cell (2,1) is already occupied by 16) and 21
occupied by 1. So, where we do write 6? Let
comes in Cell (4,2), 22 in Cell (3,1), 23 in
us move it to the south of Cell (2,4)
Cell (2,5) equivalent of Cell (2,0), 24 in Cell
containing 5 i.e. in Cell (3,4). Now we can
(1,4) and finally 25 in Cell (5,3) which is
continue in similar way and write 7 in Cell
equivalent to Cell (0,3) northwest. One can
(2,3), 8 in Cell (1,2) and then 9 falls in Cell
easily check that all the rows and columns
(0,1), which is equivalent to Cell (5,1) and
as well as diagonals all add up to 65 which
then 10 goes in Cell (4,5) as it is equivalent
is nothing but the number 0.5*n*(n2+1),
to Cell (4,0). Where do we write 11, as
where n is the size of the square.
northwest Cell (3,4) is already occupied by
 observation is that numbers in each series
One can similarly make a magic square of
(of 1 to n, n+1 to 2n and so on) fall in
order 7, starting again from 1 in the centre
different rows and columns. ♣
of first row and then following similar logic.
The only difference is that in place of after A few questions more – (i) why we are
every set of five numbers we have to move starting only from 1 in the centre of first row;
south after every seven numbers. The (ii) why do we move only to northwest in
magic square then looks like one given each series of 5 or 7 numbers and (iii) why
below. we move only to the south after each series
of 5 or 7 is completed.
28 19 10 1 48 39 30
29 27 18 9 7 47 38 In fact, as may be seen from following
square (shown on the next page), where for
37 35 26 17 8 6 46 a square of size 7x7, we start from 1 in Cell
45 36 34 25 16 14 5 (4,5) and move northeast (within each
4 44 42 33 24 15 13 series of seven numbers) and then move
two steps to the east, whenever we face a
12 3 43 41 32 23 21 problem at the end of each series of seven.
20 11 2 49 40 31 22
Again total of each row, column and
4 29 12 37 20 45 28
diagonal is 175. In a similar way, any magic 35 11 36 19 44 27 3
square of odd order, say 9, can be made.
One caneven try for a magic square of order
10 42 18 43 26 2 34
99 or may be higher. 41 17 49 25 1 33 9
It may also be observed that in the magic 16 48 24 7 32 8 40
square of order 5, the middle number 13 47 23 6 31 14 39 15
was in the centre of the square. Similarly, in
the magic square of order 7, the middle
22 5 30 13 38 21 46
number of the series, which is 25, is in the
centre of the square. It is simple to workout
that the number in the centre of a magic
♣
square of order 9 will be 41 and number in It is based on observation as well as the fact
that whenever this is not so, magic square does
the square of order 99 will be 4901. Another not work out and sums of some rows, columns
or diagonal may not work out properly.
It can be easily checked that the total of
each row, column and diagonal is again
175. Further, the middle number 25 is
appearing in the centre of the square. We
can similarly try making a square of order 5.
This should look like the following.
3 16 9 22 5 the purpose we make, is that in place of
20 8 21 14 2 using matrix form (of numbering a cell in
7 25 13 1 19
24 12 5 18 6 points in coordinate geometry considering
11 4 17 10 23
Could we work upon this to build up logic for
making magic squares of odd order?
Let us try to build the same on whatever we
have done till now, but before that let us first
try to use a little algebra in place of
numbers. As for building the magic square
we consider it as a tile in mosaic, we will
use modular arithmetic. Modular of any
number to a given base is obtained by
dividing this number by base and remainder
thus obtained is the modulus of the number
with the given base. For example, mod5 17
= mod5 42 = 2, where 5 is the base. (Thus,
if mod of two numbers is equal, then the
difference between the two numbers will be
a multiple of the base. Obviously mod value
of a number to base n, will be numbers from
0 to (n-1). However, for magic squares we
would like to have 1 to n and hence we
consider n in place of 0. For example, in
considering magic squares, say of order 7
(i.e. size 7x7), we restrict ourselves to
numbers from 1 to 7. On this scale, while 0
= 7, 12 = 5 and -1 = 6.
One change, in the development of logic for
terms of the number of row and column), we
number a cell like one describes location of
the square as a tile in the first quadrant i.e.
the left hand bottom cell is numbered as
Cell (1,1). Thus the cell containing 1 in the
above magic square is now described as
Cell (5,4) and not in Cell (4, 5). Similarly 3 is
now in Cell (7,6) and not Cell (2,7).
Let (x, y) represent the position of 1 inn a
square of order n. For 2, we move ‘p’
squares to the east (i.e. +p as in coordinate
geometry) and ‘q’ squares to the north (i.e.
+q in coordinate geometry). Hence, 2 will lie
in cell (x+p, y+q). Naturally, the position nth
number in a square of order n will be (modn
(x+np), modn (x+nq)).
Here we make another change in the
notation and the position of next series of
numbers starting from (n+1) may be defined
relative to first number in the series 1 to n
and not n (i.e. 7 as given in above
example). So position of the starting point of
the next series of n numbers (i.e. n+1 to 2n)
is defined in relation to starting point of
previous series (i.e. 1 to n) and let the
position of n+1 be ‘a’ squares to the west
and ‘b’ squares to the south of 1. In a magic
square of order 7, the position of 25 will
then be given by (mod7 (x-3a+3p), mod7 (y-
3b+3q)). For 25 to be in the centre of the
square each of mod7 (x-3a+3p) and mod7
(y-3b+3q) should be equal to 4.
We make another change here and as we
are considering magic squares of odd order,
in place of n, let us now talk of a square of
order (2n+1). One can easily work out that
in such a magic square, sum of each row,
column and diagonal should be
2
(2n+1)(2n +2n+1). Further, position of the
middle number in a square of order (2n+1)
will be given by
(mod2n+1 (x-na+np), mod2n+1 (y-nb+nq))
and each of
mod2n+1 (x-na+np) and mod2n+1 (y-nb+nq)
should be equal to n+1.
Further, there will have to be some
limitations on the values of p, q, a and b.
First of all, they can be only 1 to 2n (not
2n+1). Similarly x and y cannot be together
(n+1).
Secondly, they should satisfy the condition
that mod2n+1 (x-na+np) = mod2n+1 (y-nb+nq)
= (n+1). ……… (1)
x p a
Thirdly, ≠ ≠ .
y q b
Lastly, to ensure that each number of the
series (1 to (2n+1), (2n+2) to (4n+2) and so
on) lies in a different row and column, a, b,
p or q should not be a factor of (2n+1). This
was not in above examples, as 5 and 7
were prime numbers, but for a square of
order 9, 15, 21 or 25, this could be
important.
Let us consider the first magic square of
order 5 (on page 1). In this (x, y) is (3, 5),
(p, q) is (4, 1) and (a, b) is (4, 2). Let us
assume, we have just (x, y) as (3, 5) and (p,
q) as (4, 1). As n=2, this gives us the
equations mod5 (3-2a+8) = mod5 (5-2b+2) =
3 or mod5 (11-2a) = mod9 (7-2b) = 3.
Solving 11-2a = 7-2b gives us a=b+2 and
solutions for (a, b) thus could be (3, 1),
(4, 2), (5, 3), (6, 4) or (7, 5). As may be seen
only (a, b) as (4, 2) satisfies the condition
mod5 (3-2a+8) = mod5 (5-2b+2) = 3 and
hence the solution.
Alternatively, assume we have (x, y) as (3,
5) and (a, b) as (4, 2). The equations now
are mod5 (3-8+2p) = mod5 (5-4+2q) = 3 or
mod5 (-5+2p) = mod9 (1+2q) = 5. Solving
-5+2p = 1+2q gives us p=q+3 and solutions
for (p, q) thus could be (4, 1), (5, 2), (6, 3),
(7, 4) or (8, 5) and as can be seen only for
(p, q) as (4, 1) each of mod5 (-5+2p) and
mod9 (1+2q) could be 3.
One can similarly try for squares of order 7
on page 2. While in the first square (x, y) is
(4, 7), (p, q) is (6, 1) and (a, b) is (6, 2), in
second square we find (x, y) is (5, 4), (p, q)
is (1, 1) and (a, b) is (6, 1).
In the first case, equations are
mod7 (4-3a+3p) = mod7 (7-3b+3q) = 4, while
in second case they are
mod7 (5-3a+3p) = mod7 (4-3a+3p) = 4
numbers 1, 10, 19, 28, … … in same row
and hence magic square, with 1 starting
from (1,1) and next number i.e. 2 moving
two cells to east and four cells to north i.e.
(p, q) as (2, 4), cannot be formed. However,
if we try with (a, b) as (7, 9), we will get a
square, where columns and diagonals will
add up to 369, but not rows as can be seen
from the following.

15 60 24 69 33 78 42 6 51
One can easily see that in each of these
three cases solution is possible as these
80 44 8 53 17 62 26 71 35

numbers (a, b, p and q) are co-prime 55 19 64 28 73 37 1 46 10

relative to 5 or 7, the order of the magic 39 3 48 12 57 21 66 30 75
square. However, when it is not so, we do
23 68 32 77 41 5 50 14 59
get a problem. Let us consider a magic
7 52 16 61 25 70 34 79 43
square of order 9 (i.e. n=4), in which we
start from cell (7, 7) i.e. we have 1 in this 72 36 81 45 9 54 18 63 27
cell and x=7 and y=7. For 2, let us move two 47 11 56 20 65 29 74 38 2
cells to east and four cells to north i.e. p=2 31 76 40 4 49 13 58 22 67
and q=4. It is apparent that equation (1)
above becomes
It is apparent that while ensuring the middle
mod9 (15-4a) = mod9 (23-4b) = 5.
number 2n2+2n+1 in a square of order
(2n+1) results in diagonals of square to add
This means the difference between (15-4a)
up to 2(2n+1)(2n2+2n+1) – here 369, if p is
and (23-4b) should 0 or a multiple of 9 and
not a factor of (2n+1), columns will add up
further each of mod9 (15-4a) and mod9 (23-
to 2(2n+1)(2n2+2n+1) and if q is not a factor
4b) should be equal to 5. (15-4a) = (23-4b)
of (2n+1), rows will add up to
gives us b=a+2. One can easily try various
2(2n+1)(2n2+2n+1).
combinations of (a,b) such as (1,3), (2,4)
and so on. It can be easily established that
Let us also try (23-4b)-(15-4a) or (8-4b+4a)
only solution possible is (7,9), which gives
as a multiple of 9. It is apparent that as we
each of mod9 (15-4a) and mod9 (23-4b) as
are dealing with whole numbers only we can
5. However, as b is 9, this will bring all
only choose their difference as 36 i.e.
a=7+b or b-a= -7. With base as 9, is it not the following magic square. As a, b, p and q
similar to b=a+2? One can try and will again are co-prime to 9, we get a magic square in
get that only for (a, b) as (7, 9), such a which rows, columns and diagonals all add
solution is possible, but as b=9, no magic up to 369.
square is possible.
37 48 59 70 81 2 13 24 35
Let us try making a magic square starting
36 38 49 60 71 73 3 14 25
from 1 in (7, 3), with (p, q) as (2, 7). The
26 28 39 50 61 72 74 4 15
equation now becomes mod9 (14-4a) = 5
and mod9 (30-4b) = 5. (14-4a) = (30-4b) 16 27 29 40 51 62 64 75 5
gives b = a+4. This has a solution (9, 13) or 6 17 19 30 41 52 63 65 76
(9, 4). As a=9 has common factor with 9, 77 7 18 20 31 42 53 55 66
forming magic square with (x, y) as (7, 3),
67 78 8 10 21 32 43 54 56
(p, q) as (2, 7) and (a, b) as (9, 4) leads to
57 68 79 9 11 22 33 44 46
columns not adding to 369, while rows and
diagonals will add up to 369 as the series 1, 47 58 69 80 1 12 23 34 45
10, 19, 28 … … in row in the same column.
Similarly one can make a magic square of
39 62 76 18 32 46 69 2 25 order 9 with (x, y) as (5, 4), (p, q) as (1, 8)
21 44 58 81 14 28 51 65 7 and (a, b) as (1, 1). Here too all are co-

3 26 40 63 77 10 33 47 70 prime to 9 and we do get the following

magic square.
66 8 22 45 59 73 15 29 52
48 71 4 27 41 55 78 11 34 37 78 29 70 21 62 13 54 5
30 53 67 9 23 37 60 74 16 6 38 79 30 71 22 63 14 46
12 35 49 72 5 19 42 56 79 47 7 39 80 31 72 23 55 15
75 17 31 54 68 1 24 38 61 16 48 8 40 81 32 64 27 56
57 80 13 36 50 64 6 20 43 57 17 49 9 41 73 33 65 25
26 58 18 50 1 42 74 34 66
However, with (x, y) as (5, 1) and (p, q) as
67 27 59 10 51 2 43 75 35
(1, 8), we get equations mod9 (5 - 4a + 4) =
36 68 19 60 11 52 3 44 76
mod9 (1 - 4b + 32) = 5 i.e. mod9 (9 - 4a) =
mod9 (33 - 4b) = 5 and we can similarly find 77 28 69 20 61 12 53 4 45
a solution to this in (a, b) = (1, 7) resulting in
Trials will show that making such a square
is not easy and we do run into problems.
Let us now try (x, y) as (4, 7) and (p, q) as
(2, 2) and we get our equations as
mod9 (12 - 4a) = 5 and mod9 (15 - 4b) = 5.
As (12 - 4a) = (15 - 4b) i.e. 4(b-a) = 3 does
not give us whole numbers as solution, let
us choose (12 – 4a) – (15 – 4b) = 9, to
satisfy the equation mod9 (12 - 4a) = mod9
(15 - 4b). This gives b = a + 3 and as can be
easily seen (4, 7) gives mod9 (12 - 4a) =
mod9 (15 - 4b) = 5. However, if one tries
x a
one will run into problem as = .
y b
It may appear from above that there are
limitations in making squares of odd order, if
the order is a composite number. However,
there are other ways of making magic
squares in such cases. One may note that 9
is given by 3× 3 . Hence, we may consider
the square of order 9 as nine magic squares
of order 3 in a square of order 9. For this let
us consider the following magic square of
order 3 (something like in the popular game
sudoku).
4 9 2 each of size n22.
3 5 7
8 1 6 *
Now we can consider a square of order 9,
divided in 9 squares of order 3 (let us call
each of these squares as sub-square) and
start filling up first 9 numbers in the bottom
central square. After completing this to write
numbers from 10 to 18, we can move to top
right sub-square, for 19 to 27 to central left
square and so on, arranging them according
to numbers in the magic square of order 3.
This way, one gets the following magic
square In the above example.
31 36 29 76 81 74 13 18 11
30 32 34 75 77 79 12 14 16
35 28 33 80 73 78 17 10 15
22 27 20 40 45 38 58 63 56
21 23 25 39 41 43 57 59 61
26 19 24 44 37 42 62 55 60
67 72 65 4 9 2 49 54 47
66 68 70 3 5 7 48 50 52
71 64 69 8 1 6 53 46 51
For a magic square of order 15, one may
choose 3x5 or 5x3. In a similar way any
magic square of order n1 × n 2 can be
constructed based on two magic squares of
order n1 and n2 and one can have either n22
squares each of size n12 or n12 squares
- Shwetank Mauria
smauria55@gmail.com
* *
The above document is based on a paper written by
the author in 1974.