This site uses the term Bordered Magic Squares for consecutively concentric magic squares. These have the property that each concentrically inlaid square consists of consecutive integers.
An inlaid square of order m can be converted to a normal magic square by subtracting the (n²+1)/2 of the border order n square and adding (m²+1)/2, which is equivalent to subtracting (n²-m²)/2.
The algorithms here were first programmed on the pocket calculators HP-67 and HP-41CV. The bones numbers are computed and, optionally, (n²+1)/2 added to each number to produce the actual square.
The programs are designed to compute one cell number at a time, given the row and column. A (row, column) is entered to calculate any cell number or, optionally, the square can be stepped through, computing one cell at a time, by repeatedly pressing the R/S button.
Because the squares are not stored in the calculator, the biggest square that can be made is determined by the number computation and display capacities of the calculator, and, time and patience .
BorderedSquares makes these squares. Squares, up to order 32, can also be made below.
Order5Special makes all the order 5 bordered squares. They can also be made on page border 5.
The order 3 square can be any aspect of the Lo Shu.
To see the normal magic square of the order 3 square at the center of the order 7 square, subtract (7² - 3²)/2 = 20 from the nested order 3 square numbers. Similarly, subtract (7² - 5²)/2 = 12 for the nested order 5 square. Similarly, subtract (5² - 3²)/2 = 8 for the nested order 3 square of the order 5 square.
Imagine an X-axis through the center row and a Y-axis through the center column of each bones. A couple of observations:
The center 4x4 square can be any aspect of the 880 order 4 squares.
To see the normal magic square of the order 4 square at the center of the order 8 square, subtract (8² - 4²)/2 = 24 from the nested order 4 square numbers. Similarly, subtract (8² - 6²)/2 = 14 for the nested order 6 square. Similarly, subtract (6² - 4²)/2 = 10 for the nested order 4 square of the order 6 square.
Note that ½ has been omitted from all the bones numbers displayed here.
Therefore, to convert these displayed bones numbers to the actual square numbers:
Again, imagine a horizontal X-axis and a vertical Y-axis through the center of each bones. Some observations:
To make a square:
To make a bones:
Note: In the bones displayed here, the minus sign is dropped from negative numbers. Positive and negative numbers are distinguished by different colors, (red, blue). Also, ½ is dropped from all numbers for even order bones.
The software on this site may be used freely.
You should use only if you agree to the freeware disclaimer.
Please send errata or comments to Harry White, firstname.lastname@example.org
Breedijk, Arie "BORDERED SQUARES" http://www.perfectmagicsquares.com/Bordered_squares.html
Heinz, Harvey "Glossary" http://www.magic-squares.net/glossary.htm
Nakamura, Mitsutoshi "Terms" http://homepage2.nifty.com/googol/magcube/en/terms.htm
Weisstein, Eric W. "Border Square" http://mathworld.wolfram.com/BorderSquare.html
See also: Magic Squares - REFERENCES
Furlow, Warren "The HP-41 Archive Website" http://www.hp41.org/Intro.cfm
Hicks, David G. "The Museum of HP Calculators" http://www.hpmuseum.org/