Magic squares — Maths trick for kids

The trick

Same total — “find the total from a full line, then fill the gap”

1. Add up a row (or column) that has no gap: that is the magic total.
2. Add the numbers you can see in the line with the gap.
3. Missing number = magic total − that sum.

Use it for: Puzzle books, Olympiad questions and practising quick addition.

Worked example: Magic square (every row, column and diagonal has the same total): 2 9 4 | 7 ? 3 | 6 1 8. What is the missing number? → 5

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Trick 12 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🎲 Magic Square Master badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 5 tricks of Part 3 · Puzzles & quick wins. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Magic Square Puzzles with Answers

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)