cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/22688165

Random thought on magic squares:

If I view the smallest possible non-trivial magic square

2 7 6
9 5 1
4 3 8

since its rows and diagnoals sum up to 2+5+8 = 2+7+6 = 4+5+6 = 2+9+4 = … = 15

Lets view it as a 3x3 Matrix, its determinant is Δ = -360 . Its inverse:

-37/360 19/180 23/360
17/90 1/45 -13/90
-7/360 -11/180 53/360

note how this is a magic square, rows and diagonals sum up to 1/15.

https://matrix.reshish.com/inverse.php

Now if you are really bored (I can not do this): proof that for any non trivial magic squares the inverse …

• exists (i.e. every non-trivial magic square has an inverse)
• is a magic square.