PRIZE PUZZLE FOR JANUARY 2007

MAGIC SQUARE PUZZLE

This is a magic square using the numbers 1 to 25. All the rows, columns and two diagonals add up to the same total. Can you fill in the blank squares?

There are two ways you can do this problem. The conventional way is to use some maths. But there is another way. Do you notice a pattern? If so, just fill in the blank squares by following the pattern. If you can't get the hang of it that way you will have to resort to the mathematical method.

Here is the answer:

The sum of each row, coloumn and the two main diagonals is 65. The pattern is to keep going north-east in sequence until you hit a number that has already been assigned, then dropping down to the square below, treating the whole diagram and wrapping around left to right and top to bottom.

I had good a response to this puzzle. They were from John Bownas, John Stafford, David Groom, Len Brett, John Racket, Sussanne Bone and Michael Hodge (who won the draw). Well done all. Meanwhile the December 2006 puzzle remains to be solved.

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