Exploring Linear Algebra Through Magic Squares

Abstract

India has a rich history of enigmas and mathematical challenges, as highlighted in the National Education Policy of 2020 (NEP 2020). The concept of Magic Squares (MSS) can be traced back to ancient texts such as the Garga Samhita and Nagarjuna's Kaksaputa. Notably, the final chapter of the Ganita Kaumudi, authored by Narayana Pandita in 1356 A.D., delves into the subject of MSS and their various forms.

A magic square is essentially an n×n grid. It's classified as odd when n is an odd number, doubly even when n equals 4k, and singly even when n equals 4k+2, where k is a natural number. In simpler terms, a magic square can be described as a matrix of numbers. In this paper, we explore specific magic squares that have been transformed into linear equations and analyze the resulting outcomes.