A super number square has the following properties:

1. In each row, the rightmost number is the sum of the other three.
2. In each column, the bottom number is the sum of the other three.
3. Within each NW-SE diagonal line, the last number (bottom rightmost) is the product of the other numbers.

For example, if you have a square that looks like:

A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N P Q

you know that A+B+C=D, C+G+K=P, AFK=Q, EJ=P, and so on.

Construct a super number square in which the highest number in any position is 57, and the second number in the top row is a 5 (all numbers are positive integers).

Other than trial-and-error (or having a computer do it for you), can anyone come up with a way to logically explain how to get the answer? The numerical answer is out there now, but this problem hasn't been laid to rest just yet..

Posted by DJ on 2003-08-19 18:52:28