Reverse engineering a math magic trick involving matrices.
This problem was brought up by my mother from a corporate party with along with a question of how that worked.
There was a showman who asked to tell him a number from $10$ to $99$ (If i'm not mistaken). The number $83$ was named after which he took a piece of paper quickly put down a matrix (note he did that fast):
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & 2 & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
If you take a closer look every row, column and diagonal has the sum of $83$. Moreover consider the corners of the matrix also have the sum of $83$. For example:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
colorred{8} & colorred{11} & 63 & 1\
colorred{62} & colorred{2} & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Also the central square is $83$ in sum as well:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & colorred{2} & colorred{7} & 12\
3 & colorred{65} & colorred{9} & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Clearly numbers $1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12$ are filled in in a circular manner. And then consequent $62, 63, 64, 65$ are as well. I'm not very familial with linear algebra so my question is:
What was that rule he used to build it? Can we construct a matrix with the same properties given a random number in some range? Is it possible to build a similar one but for $5X5$, $6X6$ or $NXN$ matrix?
linear-algebra matrices magic-square
add a comment |
This problem was brought up by my mother from a corporate party with along with a question of how that worked.
There was a showman who asked to tell him a number from $10$ to $99$ (If i'm not mistaken). The number $83$ was named after which he took a piece of paper quickly put down a matrix (note he did that fast):
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & 2 & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
If you take a closer look every row, column and diagonal has the sum of $83$. Moreover consider the corners of the matrix also have the sum of $83$. For example:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
colorred{8} & colorred{11} & 63 & 1\
colorred{62} & colorred{2} & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Also the central square is $83$ in sum as well:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & colorred{2} & colorred{7} & 12\
3 & colorred{65} & colorred{9} & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Clearly numbers $1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12$ are filled in in a circular manner. And then consequent $62, 63, 64, 65$ are as well. I'm not very familial with linear algebra so my question is:
What was that rule he used to build it? Can we construct a matrix with the same properties given a random number in some range? Is it possible to build a similar one but for $5X5$, $6X6$ or $NXN$ matrix?
linear-algebra matrices magic-square
What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
1
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago
add a comment |
This problem was brought up by my mother from a corporate party with along with a question of how that worked.
There was a showman who asked to tell him a number from $10$ to $99$ (If i'm not mistaken). The number $83$ was named after which he took a piece of paper quickly put down a matrix (note he did that fast):
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & 2 & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
If you take a closer look every row, column and diagonal has the sum of $83$. Moreover consider the corners of the matrix also have the sum of $83$. For example:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
colorred{8} & colorred{11} & 63 & 1\
colorred{62} & colorred{2} & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Also the central square is $83$ in sum as well:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & colorred{2} & colorred{7} & 12\
3 & colorred{65} & colorred{9} & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Clearly numbers $1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12$ are filled in in a circular manner. And then consequent $62, 63, 64, 65$ are as well. I'm not very familial with linear algebra so my question is:
What was that rule he used to build it? Can we construct a matrix with the same properties given a random number in some range? Is it possible to build a similar one but for $5X5$, $6X6$ or $NXN$ matrix?
linear-algebra matrices magic-square
This problem was brought up by my mother from a corporate party with along with a question of how that worked.
There was a showman who asked to tell him a number from $10$ to $99$ (If i'm not mistaken). The number $83$ was named after which he took a piece of paper quickly put down a matrix (note he did that fast):
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & 2 & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
If you take a closer look every row, column and diagonal has the sum of $83$. Moreover consider the corners of the matrix also have the sum of $83$. For example:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
colorred{8} & colorred{11} & 63 & 1\
colorred{62} & colorred{2} & 7 & 12\
3 & 65 & 9 & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Also the central square is $83$ in sum as well:
$$
begin{bmatrix}
8 & 11 & 63 & 1\
62 & colorred{2} & colorred{7} & 12\
3 & colorred{65} & colorred{9} & 6 \
10 & 5 & 4 & 64
end{bmatrix}
$$
Clearly numbers $1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12$ are filled in in a circular manner. And then consequent $62, 63, 64, 65$ are as well. I'm not very familial with linear algebra so my question is:
What was that rule he used to build it? Can we construct a matrix with the same properties given a random number in some range? Is it possible to build a similar one but for $5X5$, $6X6$ or $NXN$ matrix?
linear-algebra matrices magic-square
linear-algebra matrices magic-square
edited 32 mins ago
asked 1 hour ago
roman
1,63811119
1,63811119
What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
1
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago
add a comment |
What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
1
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago
What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
1
1
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
He did not write down a 'matrix'. He wrote down a magic square.
There are various algorithms for constructing them, the easiest to do mentally is to start with a generic starter matrix you memoize:
A 1 12 7
11 8 B 2
5 10 3 C
4 D 6 9
And solve for A, B, C, D for your target number. With some practice you can do this super fast.
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
add a comment |
This is all based on the amazing matrix $$pmatrix{8&11&14&1\13&2&7&12\3&16&9&6\10&5&4&15}$$
Note that this works for $34$. For $34+n$ you just replace $13,14,15,16$ with $13+n,14+n,15+n,16+n$. I do not know what the showman's backup plan for numbers below $34$ is.
EDIT: There is a Numberphile video on this exact trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxCnmhqZko
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
add a comment |
Observe that the numbers in the sixties lie on different rows, different columns and different quadrants. If you increase them simultaneously, all the twelve sums increase by the same amount.
In the pure magic square (numbers $1$ to $16$), the sum is $34$, hence if suffices to add $83-34=49$ to these four elements.
It would be more logical to request a sum in the range $[34,83]$ so that all elements are at most two-digit naturals.
For stronger mystification, you can split the required increment in two or more and adjust on the other possible groups.
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
He did not write down a 'matrix'. He wrote down a magic square.
There are various algorithms for constructing them, the easiest to do mentally is to start with a generic starter matrix you memoize:
A 1 12 7
11 8 B 2
5 10 3 C
4 D 6 9
And solve for A, B, C, D for your target number. With some practice you can do this super fast.
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
add a comment |
He did not write down a 'matrix'. He wrote down a magic square.
There are various algorithms for constructing them, the easiest to do mentally is to start with a generic starter matrix you memoize:
A 1 12 7
11 8 B 2
5 10 3 C
4 D 6 9
And solve for A, B, C, D for your target number. With some practice you can do this super fast.
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
add a comment |
He did not write down a 'matrix'. He wrote down a magic square.
There are various algorithms for constructing them, the easiest to do mentally is to start with a generic starter matrix you memoize:
A 1 12 7
11 8 B 2
5 10 3 C
4 D 6 9
And solve for A, B, C, D for your target number. With some practice you can do this super fast.
He did not write down a 'matrix'. He wrote down a magic square.
There are various algorithms for constructing them, the easiest to do mentally is to start with a generic starter matrix you memoize:
A 1 12 7
11 8 B 2
5 10 3 C
4 D 6 9
And solve for A, B, C, D for your target number. With some practice you can do this super fast.
answered 49 mins ago
orlp
7,1781229
7,1781229
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
add a comment |
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
Of course it is a matrix as well.
– Jannik Pitt
29 mins ago
add a comment |
This is all based on the amazing matrix $$pmatrix{8&11&14&1\13&2&7&12\3&16&9&6\10&5&4&15}$$
Note that this works for $34$. For $34+n$ you just replace $13,14,15,16$ with $13+n,14+n,15+n,16+n$. I do not know what the showman's backup plan for numbers below $34$ is.
EDIT: There is a Numberphile video on this exact trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxCnmhqZko
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
add a comment |
This is all based on the amazing matrix $$pmatrix{8&11&14&1\13&2&7&12\3&16&9&6\10&5&4&15}$$
Note that this works for $34$. For $34+n$ you just replace $13,14,15,16$ with $13+n,14+n,15+n,16+n$. I do not know what the showman's backup plan for numbers below $34$ is.
EDIT: There is a Numberphile video on this exact trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxCnmhqZko
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
add a comment |
This is all based on the amazing matrix $$pmatrix{8&11&14&1\13&2&7&12\3&16&9&6\10&5&4&15}$$
Note that this works for $34$. For $34+n$ you just replace $13,14,15,16$ with $13+n,14+n,15+n,16+n$. I do not know what the showman's backup plan for numbers below $34$ is.
EDIT: There is a Numberphile video on this exact trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxCnmhqZko
This is all based on the amazing matrix $$pmatrix{8&11&14&1\13&2&7&12\3&16&9&6\10&5&4&15}$$
Note that this works for $34$. For $34+n$ you just replace $13,14,15,16$ with $13+n,14+n,15+n,16+n$. I do not know what the showman's backup plan for numbers below $34$ is.
EDIT: There is a Numberphile video on this exact trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxCnmhqZko
edited 45 mins ago
answered 50 mins ago
SmileyCraft
1,849111
1,849111
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
add a comment |
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
1
1
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
– roman
36 mins ago
add a comment |
Observe that the numbers in the sixties lie on different rows, different columns and different quadrants. If you increase them simultaneously, all the twelve sums increase by the same amount.
In the pure magic square (numbers $1$ to $16$), the sum is $34$, hence if suffices to add $83-34=49$ to these four elements.
It would be more logical to request a sum in the range $[34,83]$ so that all elements are at most two-digit naturals.
For stronger mystification, you can split the required increment in two or more and adjust on the other possible groups.
add a comment |
Observe that the numbers in the sixties lie on different rows, different columns and different quadrants. If you increase them simultaneously, all the twelve sums increase by the same amount.
In the pure magic square (numbers $1$ to $16$), the sum is $34$, hence if suffices to add $83-34=49$ to these four elements.
It would be more logical to request a sum in the range $[34,83]$ so that all elements are at most two-digit naturals.
For stronger mystification, you can split the required increment in two or more and adjust on the other possible groups.
add a comment |
Observe that the numbers in the sixties lie on different rows, different columns and different quadrants. If you increase them simultaneously, all the twelve sums increase by the same amount.
In the pure magic square (numbers $1$ to $16$), the sum is $34$, hence if suffices to add $83-34=49$ to these four elements.
It would be more logical to request a sum in the range $[34,83]$ so that all elements are at most two-digit naturals.
For stronger mystification, you can split the required increment in two or more and adjust on the other possible groups.
Observe that the numbers in the sixties lie on different rows, different columns and different quadrants. If you increase them simultaneously, all the twelve sums increase by the same amount.
In the pure magic square (numbers $1$ to $16$), the sum is $34$, hence if suffices to add $83-34=49$ to these four elements.
It would be more logical to request a sum in the range $[34,83]$ so that all elements are at most two-digit naturals.
For stronger mystification, you can split the required increment in two or more and adjust on the other possible groups.
edited 1 min ago
answered 6 mins ago
Yves Daoust
124k671221
124k671221
add a comment |
add a comment |
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What kind of show was that?
– lcv
24 mins ago
@Icv i've never seen this show, so i do not know. It was at a corporate party for the co-workers. The only thing I got was a piece of paper with numbers written on it.
– roman
22 mins ago
1
It’s hard to imagine a less geeky show :-)
– lcv
18 mins ago