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ERIC Number: EJ769585
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 14
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0730-8639
EISSN: N/A
Mathematical Construction of Magic Squares Utilizing Base-N Arithmetic
O'Brien, Thomas D.
Mathematics and Computer Education, v40 n1 p5-18 Win 2006
Magic squares have been of interest as a source of recreation for over 4,500 years. A magic square consists of a square array of n[squared] positive and distinct integers arranged so that the sum of any column, row, or main diagonal is the same. In particular, an array of consecutive integers from 1 to n[squared] forming an nxn magic square is called a normalized magic square of order n. Why they possess this property is not, in general, explained; instead, methods of their construction are outlined. Magic squares are divided into three classes: Odd (2m+1), Even-even (4m), and Even-odd (4m+2) with m any positive integer. This paper provides constructions for each class of squares using base-n arithmetic. (Contains 17 figures.)
MATYC Journal Inc. Mathematics and Computer Education, P.O. Box 158, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. Tel: 516-822-5475; Web site: http://www.macejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A