Semaine Européenne
Concours de mathématiques
Les problèmes posés par chaque lycée
|
Les problèmes posés par chaque lycée |
|
PUZZLE NO. 2 from BIECZ: WHERE IS NUMBER THERE IS BEAUTY
Definition
A magic square is a square array of numbers 1, 2, 3, ... , n2
(or other arithmetical or geometrical sequence) arranged in such a way
that the sum of each row, each column and both diagonals is constant.
The number n is called the order of the magic square.
|
 |
 |
Magic
squares are rather old. The first known magic square was discovered in
China on a scroll of the river Loh. It was called Loh-Shu. The invention
of the scroll was attributed to Fuh-Hi, the mythical founder of the
Chinese civilisation, who lived 2858-2738 B.C. All the odd numbers, the
yang symbols, represented the emblem of heaven. All the even numbers,
the yin symbols, represented the symbols of earth. |
|
Another
famous historical magic square is by Albrecht Durer, who was a German
painter, engraver and woodcut designer. The square was incorporated into
his famous engraving Melancholia. The bottom
row shows the year of creation 1514 in the centre cells. Try to build as big magic square as you can. |
