Reverse engineering a math magic trick involving matrices.












7














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?











share|cite|improve this question
























  • 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
















7














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?











share|cite|improve this question
























  • 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














7












7








7


2





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?











share|cite|improve this question















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






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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


















  • 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










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















3














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.






share|cite|improve this answer





















  • Of course it is a matrix as well.
    – Jannik Pitt
    29 mins ago



















2














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






share|cite|improve this answer



















  • 1




    I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
    – roman
    36 mins ago



















0














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.






share|cite























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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3














    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.






    share|cite|improve this answer





















    • Of course it is a matrix as well.
      – Jannik Pitt
      29 mins ago
















    3














    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.






    share|cite|improve this answer





















    • Of course it is a matrix as well.
      – Jannik Pitt
      29 mins ago














    3












    3








    3






    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.






    share|cite|improve this answer












    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.







    share|cite|improve this answer












    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer










    answered 49 mins ago









    orlp

    7,1781229




    7,1781229












    • 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




    Of course it is a matrix as well.
    – Jannik Pitt
    29 mins ago











    2














    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






    share|cite|improve this answer



















    • 1




      I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
      – roman
      36 mins ago
















    2














    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






    share|cite|improve this answer



















    • 1




      I also believe it was not 10, but rather some larger two digit number
      – roman
      36 mins ago














    2












    2








    2






    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






    share|cite|improve this answer














    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







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    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














    • 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











    0














    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.






    share|cite




























      0














      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.






      share|cite


























        0












        0








        0






        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.






        share|cite














        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.







        share|cite














        share|cite



        share|cite








        edited 1 min ago

























        answered 6 mins ago









        Yves Daoust

        124k671221




        124k671221






























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