Harman Patil (Editor)

Strachey method for magic squares

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

The Strachey method for magic squares is an algorithm for generating magic squares of singly even order 4n+2.

Example of magic square of order 6 constructed with the Strachey method:

Strachey's method of construction of singly even magic square of order k=4*n+2

1. Divide the grid into 4 quarters each having k^2/4 cells and name them crosswise thus

2. Using the Siamese method (De la Loubère method) complete the individual magic squares of odd order 2*n+1 in subsquares A, B, C, D, first filling up the sub-square A with the numbers 1 to k^2/4, then the sub-square B with the numbers k^2/4 +1 to 2*k^2/4,then the sub-square C with the numbers 2*k^2/4 +1 to 3*k^2/4, then the sub-square D with the numbers 3*k^2/4 +1 to k^2.

3. Exchange the leftmost n columns in sub-square A with the corresponding columns of sub-square D.

4. Exchange the rightmost n-1 columns in sub-square C with the corresponding columns of sub-square B.

5. Exchange the middle cell of the leftmost column of sub-square A with the corresponding cell of sub-square D. Exchange the central cell in sub-square A with the corresponding cell of sub-square D.

The result is a magic square of order k=4*n+2.

References

Strachey method for magic squares Wikipedia


Similar Topics