The numbers chosen are any consecutive series of 9 numbers.

The numbers to be used are:

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900

Add all 9 numbers and then divide them by 3. This will give you the magic number.

100+200+300+400+500+600+700+800+900 =4,500 ÷ 3 = 1,500

The magic number is 1,500. That means that all columns, rows and diagonals will add to 1,500.

: Write out the eight combinations and solve for the middle number by subtracting the
largest number with the smallest.

The eight combinations are:

900+500+100=1,500 900+100= 1,000 then subtract 1,500-1,000= 500

900+400+200=1,500 900+200= 1,100 then subtract 1,500-1,100= 400

800+___+100=1,500
Note: The first combination started with the largest
800+___+200=1,500
number added to the smallest number and the difference
800+___+300=1,500
supplied the middle number. Then the next largest
700+___+200=1,500
number and smallest number and so on.
700+___+300=1,500

600+___+400=1,500

: Create a chart to count how many times the 9 consecutive numbers are used in the
equations. This chart will also help you when filling in the magic square.
 Number 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
# of times 2 3 2 3 4 3 2 3 2
used in
combinations

Next create a 3 by 3 square and fill in the middle with “500”. The middle number is
always the number that appears the most in the combinations.

500

: Now fill in the corners. Continue to fill in the square.

200 600

500

400 800
: Lastly fill in the rest of the square by adding and subtracting the surrounding numbers to
equal 1,500. The sum of all columns, rows, and diagonals must equal 1,500!

1,500

200 700 600 1,500

900 500 100

1,500

400 300 800

1,500

1,500
1,500 1,500 1,500