Math Mania in February has "magic squares"

Ms. Math Mania has yet another new format for the February Math Mania puzzles. These are in the form of "magic squares."

The February puzzles look a little like the Sudoku ones in January. But, they're different and include a variety of math figuring.

Ms Math Mania is Ms. Amy Ruzicka, a math teacher at St. Gabriel's School in south St. Louis City. For this school year she's adapted a variety of new puzzle formats for your math enjoyment.

This month's puzzles should give you a test of your mathematic deductions.

A total of 14 kids got all of the January Sudoku puzzles correct. There might have been more winners but a number of entries came in after the mailing deadline of January 15. (To check out those January answers, click here.)

Rules for Math Mania in February continue the same. Each month, the contest calls for you to give answers to brainteasers based on numbers and math.

Then, you submit your answers, using the form which is attached to the questions. If you answer all the questions correctly, you'll have a chance to win a $10 Borders book certificate.

Remember, the mailing deadline for entry into the February contest is February 15!!

Follow contest instructions and fill out the entry form carefully. Also print legibly so, if you're a winner, we can send your prize to the right address.

How to enter:

(All entries must be postmarked by the 15th of the month to be eligible.)

Notice how the sum of each column, row,
and diagonal is 15.

1. Only the odd numbers from 5 to 35, inclusive, are to be used to complete the magic square. Each number must be used. Letters have been placed in some of the boxes to give you clues about the numbers that belong there. For example, the letter A is in the first column, second row. A clue below the magic square tells you that A = 3F, which means that the number that replaces A is three times as large as the number that replaces F. Be sure to read the clues carefully. They will definitely help you! When you finish, check to see that the sums of each row, column, and diagonal are equal.

Clues

A = 3F	B = A - 10	C = F + 6
D = A + 2	E = B - 4	F = 11

Numbers to use

5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19
21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35

2. In the following magic square, the odd numbers from 19 to 49, inclusive, are used. Use the clues below to help you. When you finish, check to see that the sums of each row, column, and diagonal are equal.

Clues

A = 2B + 3	B = F + 4	C = F + 2
D = A - 2	E = A - 16	F = 19

Numbers to use

19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33
35	37	39	41	43	45	47	49

3. Complete the square with the numbers 5 through 16, inclusive, to make it magic.

Clues

The sum of each row, column, and diagonal is to be 34.

The two unfilled corner squares must add up to 29.

The two unfilled central squares must add up to 29.

Numbers to use

5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16