MAGIC SQUARE

Magic square is an arrangement of numbers in a square placed in a particular order. The sum of each row, column,
and diagonal is one constant number, a.k.a. "magic constant". The following instruction will show you how to solve a
single-numbered list.

You will start off with the following:

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

1. Calculate the magic constant.

First, add all the numbers together:
10 + 11 + 12 + 13 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 + 18 = 126

Second, since there are three squares in each row, column, and diagonal, divide the sum of all the numbers by 3.
This will give you your "magic constant".
126 / 3 = 42

2. Find the sum of three numbers from the list to equal the constant value.
Each row, column, and diagonal should equal to the constant value.

Since, there is eight combinations in the square, you should have eight sums. To do this, the easiest way will be to
add the largest number with the smallest number along a third number from the list.
Example:
18 + 10 + _?_ = 42 = 18 + 10 + 14 = 42
18 + 11 + _?_ = 42 = 18 + 11 + 13 = 42
18 + 12 + _?_ = 42 = 18 + 12 + 12 = 42; Since we cant use 12 twice, we cant use this equation.
 Do the same thing with the next largest number from the list and so on until you get your eight combinations.
Remember to not have duplicate sums. The following list is what you should end up with:

18 + 10 + 14 18 + 11 + 13 17 + 10 + 15 17 + 11 + 14
17 + 12 + 13 16 + 11 + 15 16 + 12 + 14 15 + 13 + 14

3. Find how many times each number shows up in list from step 2 and make a list.
18 + 10 + 14 18 + 11 + 13 17 + 10 + 15 17 + 11 + 14
17 + 12 + 13 16 + 11 + 15 16 + 12 + 14 15 + 13 + 14

Your list should be:

18 = 2 times 17 = 3 times 16 = 2 times 15 = 3 times
14 = 4 times 13 = 3 times 12 = 2 times 11 = 3 times
10 = 2 times

4. Start plugging in the numbers into the square.

First, using the list from step 3, put the most seen number in the middle.
18 = 2 times 17 = 3 times 16 = 2 times 15 = 3 times
14 = 4 times 13 = 3 times 12 = 2 times 11 = 3 times
10 = 2 times

14

Next, put the next most seen numbers in the corners. Make sure the diagonals add up to your constant.
18 = 2 times 17 = 3 times 16 = 2 times 15 = 3 times
14 = 4 times 13 = 3 times 12 = 2 times 11 = 3 times
10 = 2 times

11 13

14

15 17

* You can use your combination list from step 2 to help line them up.
17 + 11 + 14 15 + 13 + 14
Lastly, put the remaining numbers in the last four squares. Make sure the rows and columns add up to your
constant.
18 = 2 times 17 = 3 times 16 = 2 times 15 = 3 times
14 = 4 times 13 = 3 times 12 = 2 times 11 = 3 times
10 = 2 times

11 18 13

16 14 12

15 10 17

* You can use your combination list from step 2 to help line them up.
18 + 10 + 14 18 + 11 + 13 17 + 10 + 15
17 + 12 + 13 16 + 11 + 15 16 + 12 + 14

Try your skills on the Magic square on the next page!

 MAGIC SQUARE
Directions: Arrange the following numbers in a way that every row, column, and diagonal adds up to the same number.

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28