# Anyone know this math trick? Involves a grid with 16 squares.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-this-math-trick-involves-a-grid-with-16-squares/819891>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 20, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-this-math-trick-involves-a-grid-with-16-squares/819891 "2018-08-20T00:19:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-this-math-trick-involves-a-grid-with-16-squares/819891/1 "2018-08-20T00:19:31Z")

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At least I think it does.

My memory is really foggy, so bear with me.

It may be called a Magic Square (?). But Googling that has just given me some number puzzles. This is more of a magic trick.

You ask the spectator for a two-digit number. Upon hearing it, you quickly fill in all the squares, resulting in a grid full of numbers.

The exciting part is that each row of 4, when added up, add up to the spectator’s number.

Additionally, the 4 upper squares, the 4 center squares, the 4 columns…all add up to the spectator’s chosen number.

If anyone knows the trick, please share. Or a link would be great (I’m failing at Googling it).

Thanks,  
mmm

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**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-this-math-trick-involves-a-grid-with-16-squares/819891/2 "2018-08-20T01:31:17Z")

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> **[The Sum Trick and Magic Square](https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/sum-trick-magic-square.html)**
>
> Learn the The Sum Trick and the secret of the Magic Square and amaze your friends, examples and step by step solutions, math concepts and skills.

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-this-math-trick-involves-a-grid-with-16-squares/819891/3 "2018-08-20T09:41:13Z")

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That’s it!

Thanks, **Waldo**!