Look at the square below containing the digits from 1 – 9. What unique feature does the square possess? (Suspect there could be more than one answer?)
1 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
SOLUTION: All solvers noted that the increasing digits from 1 to 9 form a spiral around the outside, ending in the center square. This is of course correct.
ALSO, and perhaps more interesting (and one solver also noted this): NONE of the 3 rows or 3 columns or 2 diagonals add to a sum that is repeated. (All 8 possible directions form a different sum!)
There is a name for this phenomenon: It is called an ‘unmagic square’. Much more could be said here, but perhaps another time.
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