magic square

American  

noun

1. a square containing integers arranged in an equal number of rows and columns so that the sum of the integers in any row, column, or diagonal is the same.

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magic square British  

noun

1. a square array of rows of integers arranged so that the sum of the integers is the same when taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally

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magic square Scientific  

1. A square that contains numbers arranged in equal rows and columns such that the sum of each row, column, and sometimes diagonal is the same.

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Etymology

Origin of magic square

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

The work “is a beautiful and simple direct implementation of the Mermin-Peres magic square game,” says Arul Lakshminarayan of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, who was not involved in the experimental demonstration.

From Scientific American

You don’t go to the films of John Waters for a tidy three-act structure, and you don’t go to his essays for elements locking into place with the organizational splendor of a magic square.

From New York Times

“The magic square? You had me stumped with the flamingo theater. I was like, what in the world is a—” Emily’s brain caught up with her rambling mouth.

From Literature

In a magic square, a grid was filled with a consecutive set of numbers so every row, column, and diagonal added up to the same number.

From Literature

Especially since last year, I’d spent a week building up my courage to ask the librarian for a book on magic squares, and when I did, she said they didn’t carry books about witchcraft.

From Literature