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W Mates

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
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Here is one of the magic labellings of the W shape from Magic W problem with a magic total of $14$ on each of the four lines making the W shape.

10 yellow circles in a W shape witht he numbers : 3,6,5,7,2,8,4,1,9

Prove that for every labelling with a magic total $T$ there is a corresponding labelling with a magic total $30-T$.

Find the values of $T$ for which magic labellings exist and show that there are a total of $12$ magic labellings altogether.

Note that two labellings are considered to be the same if they are reflections of each other or if the two numbers at the ends of the outside legs are interchanged.


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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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