CARD MAGIC SQUARES.
(
Magic Squares Problem.)
Take an ordinary pack of cards and throw out the twelve court cards.
Now, with nine of the remainder (different suits are of no consequence)
form the above magic square. It will be seen that the pips add up
fifteen in every row in every column, and in each of the two long
diagonals. The puzzle is with the remaining cards (without disturbing
this arrangement) to form three more such magic squares, so that each of
the four shall add up to a different sum. There will, of course, be four
cards in the reduced pack that will not be used. These four may be any
that you choose. It is not a difficult puzzle, but requires just a
little thought.
Answer:
Arrange the cards as follows for the three new squares:--
3 2 4 6 5 7 9 8 10
4 3 2 7 6 5 10 9 8
2 4 3 5 7 6 8 10 9
Three aces and one ten are not used. The summations of the four squares
are thus: 9, 15, 18, and 27--all different, as required.
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