KS3 Number Grids

Dr J Frost (jfrost@tiffin.kingston.sch.uk)

Last modified: 8th December 2014

Starter
In the Maths Challenges and Olympiads, you are often asked to insert the
numbers 1 to into a structure such that the sum of each row/column/line in the
structure is the same.

The numbers 1 to 9 all appear once in the following structure. The

Q
sum of each line is the same. What are the missing numbers?

1 3
5? ?6 ?4 ?9
?8 7 ?2
General Tips
The numbers 1 to 9 all appear once in the following structure. The
Q
sum of each line is the same. What are the missing numbers?

Bro Tip 1: Calculate the

sum of 1 to . The quick
way is

1 3 1
2 ? ×5=45
× 9× 10=9

Bro Tip 2: Let say be the

7 total in each line. Form an

equation, one side in
terms of and the other
side in terms of numbers
used (considering overlap)

(if we add the 4 lines, 1, 7

This then makes the problem much easier, as the
middle two numbers are now obvious, and there’s ?
and 3 are each seen twice)

little to experiment with in the outer boxes.

More Tips
Again, the numbers 1 to 9 appear in each box. Let be the total of each
Q2
row. Find the possible values of

Bro Tip 3: Give any

overlapping squares a
(separate) variable name.

?
 See diagram.
1 3
Form an equation, one
𝑥 side in terms of and the
other side in terms of
numbers used
(considering overlap)

Bro Tip 4: Reason about
divisibility on each side of
the equation.
4𝑇=45+1+3+𝑥
?
LHS is divisible by 4, so RHS must be.
? used, so , and thus
Thus . But 3 already
 Final Tip
Again, the numbers 1 to 9 appear in each box. Let be the total of each
Q3
row. Find the possible values of

Give any overlapping

𝑥 𝑦 squares a (separate)
variable name.

?
 See diagram.

1 Form an equation, one side in

Bro Tip 5: Consider the smallest and largest
your variables could be to give a plausible
range for .
The smallest and could be is 2 and 3 (1 is used)
So is at least 13.
?
The largest they could be is 8 and 9.
So is at most 15. i.e.
terms of and the other side
in terms of numbers used
(considering overlap)
4𝑇=45+1+𝑥+𝑦
?
What would we do at this point?
We’ve only shown can plausibly be
between 13 and 15, but we haven’t
shown these values?actually work.
Consider each value of in turn and show
it can lead to a valid arrangement.
Olympiad Worksheet
Worksheet provided. Here is a reminder of the tips:
Full solutions on next slides.
Bro Tip 1: Calculate the
sum of 1 to . The quick
way is
Bro Tip 2: Let say be the
total in each line. Form an
equation, one side in
terms of and the other
side in terms of numbers
used (considering overlap)
Bro Tip 3: Give any
overlapping squares a
(separate) variable name.
Bro Tip 4: Reason about
divisibility on each side of
the equation.
Bro Tip 5: Consider the
smallest and largest your
variables could be to give
a plausible range for .
J25

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J38

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J24

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J48

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M30

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M48

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M66

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M72

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M65