THE MATH EXPERT

MAGIC
TRIANGLE
Information for the parent:

A magic triangle is an arrangement of integers on the

sides of a triangle, each side having the same number
of integers.

And here’s the magic: The sum of integers on each side

is the same! This sum is called the magic sum of the
triangle.

Example: 8

6 4

24

10 2 12

12 16

9 6 12 8

36 48

15 3 18 20 4 24
Activity:
Tell your child that you are choosing six numbers - 1,2,3,4,5,6. Then, you
can present the following triangle (keep the cut-out ready prior to the
activity):

3 2

5 1 6

Ask your child to pick any side of the triangle and sum the numbers on
that side. For example, they can start with the left side:

4 + 3 + 5 = 12

Next, ask them to do the same for the right side:

4 + 2 + 6 = 12

Lastly, ask them to sum up the numbers on the bottom side:

5 + 1 + 6 = 12

By this time, your child will realize the magic of this triangle! The sum of
numbers on each side of the triangle is 12!

Ask them to write this number in the middle circle.

And this is not over yet!

Now, ask your child to pick any vertex of the triangle and note the
number on that vertex. For example, your child can pick the vertex with
number 5.
Next, ask them to start along the two sides of the triangle that start from
this vertex:
4

3 2

5 1 6

Observe that they will encounter numbers 3 and 1, respectively. Ask them
to subtract the numbers:

3 4
-1
---
2

3 2

5 1 6

Observe that they will come to numbers 4 and 6. Ask them to repeat the
subtraction process:

6
-4
---
2

Point out that the difference is the same.

 4

3 2

5 1 6

Now repeat this process with all the vertices and find out that the differ-
ences remain the same along the two sides of the movement.

See how balanced this magic triangle is!

And now is the time to explain this balance to your child!

Let us illustrate this:

The sum of numbers along any one side of the given triangle is 12. This
has to remain constant.

Starting from the vertex which has 5 as the number, the next numbers
are 3 and 1 (up and sideways).

Thus, the first number you encounter along the upward line is 3, which is
greater than 1 by 2. Therefore, to maintain the sum of 12 (balance), the
next number you will encounter along the up line will be 2 less than the
corresponding case on the sideways line.

And this is exactly the case:

4 is less than 6 by 2!

Hence, the balance of the magic triangle is maintained! Whatever you

add to the side will be compensated by the reduction you have to make
to the other side.

Or, whatever you reduce from the side will be compensated by the
addition you have to make to the other side.
Now, a Challenge!
This magical game is not over yet!

Now, ask your child to use the same set of numbers (1,2,3,4,5 and 6) to
come up with other versions of the magic triangle. Yes, it is indeed possi-
ble!

For your aid, we are presenting the solutions:

3 2

11

6 1 4

4 2

10

1 6 3

5 6

3 4 2

For additional challenges, you can choose - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 as num-

bers to be placed along the sides of another magic triangle! This time,
there will be four numbers along each side.