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Magic Squares

A Magic Square is composed of a number of integers so
arranged within the square formation that the sum of the
integers in each row, each column and each diagonal is
identical. To deal comprehensively with Magic Squares
would require almost a volume by itself, and it is necessary
to confine consideration here to the simpler principles in-
volved.

Two examples are given below, showing different ways in
which the consecutive numbers from 1 to 16 may be arranged
so as to form magic squares.

  

In both squares, each row, column and diagonal gives a
total of g4. It will also be observed that:

(a) if each square is subdivided into four smaller squares,
each containing four numbers, the total of each
smaller square is also 34;

(b) in the second square, further smaller squares, each

10 145

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