Magic Squares
Frank Ricci, Sarah Naqvi, and
Katrina Reinprecht
What is a Magic Square?
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Must consist of a series of numbers
arranged in a square such that rows,
columns, and diagonals add up to the
same amount (the magic total)
Where did the Magic Square
originate?
• China
• Persia
• Arabia
• India
• Europe
Magic Squares in Chinese
History

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Lo Shu Turtle
Architecture - Heaven and Earth
Significance of ‘5’ and ‘9’
Magic Charm &
Fortune Telling
Chinese Solar Year
Magic Squares in Islamic/Hindu
Cultures
Spread through trade routes
 Used in astrology
 Yantras - Charms with special powers
 Jabir ibn Hayyan - Father of Islamic
Alchemy

Where are Magic Squares found
today?
Textile Museum
 Pieces from
Africa
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Where are Magic Squares found
today?

Sudoku
The order of the square is 3; that is, the square is a 3x3
The middle value between 1-9 is 5
5x3 = 15
5x3x3 = 15x3 = 45 = 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9