Question

What is the missing number in the given magic square?

$\begin{array}{ccc}8& 1& 6\\ 3& 5& 7\\ 4& 9& ?\end{array}$

• A. 2

Answer 1

The correct option is A 2
In a magic square, the sum of the numbers in each row, column and diagonal of the square is the same.

Consider, the first row, here the sum of the numbers is 15, in second row it is also 15, in columns also the sum of the numbers in first and second is 15. In one of the diagonal also the sum of the numbers is 15.

$\therefore$ the sum of all the numbers present in the third row must also be fifteen. Let's assume the unknown value as $x$.

$\Rightarrow 4+9+x=15$
$\Rightarrow x=15-9-4$
$\Rightarrow x=15-13$
$\Rightarrow x=2$