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1, 2, 3 Magic Square
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level 
1, 2, 3 Magic Square
Arrange three $1$s, three $2$s and three $3$s in this square so that every row, column and diagonal adds to the same total.
You might like to use this interactivity to do this problem.
You may like to try this with other sets of three consecutive numbers (numbers which come one after the other).
This problem has been adapted from the book "Numbers in Your Head" by John Spooner, published by BEAM Education. This book is out of print but can still be found on Amazon.
This problem has been adapted from the book "Numbers in Your Head" by John Spooner, published by BEAM Education. This book is out of print but can still be found on Amazon.
Why do this problem?
This problem requires only simple adding, but also persistence and logical thinking.
Key questions
What do one, two and three add to?
Which of the numbers, when multiplied by three, will come to the total you want in each of the rows?
What do three twos add to?
How many completely different solutions can you find?
Possible extension
Learners could try this activity with other sets of three consecutive numbers.
Possible support
Suggest using the interactivity or counters marked appropriately on a $3 \times 3$ square.
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