Rallier des Ourmes

A somehow more complicated method was found by Jean-Joseph Rallier des Ourmes, who first placed the median number in the central field of the square, including the number 1 below and the order n to the left of the center. The cells that are symmetrical to the center are then filled with their complementary numbers.

Now the remaining cells in the middle row are filled. Starting from the number 25 in the center of the square, every second cell is now filled. The current number is decreased by n − 1, progressing to the right, but increased by n − 1, progressing to the left. The same procedure is followed by starting from the left or right neighboring number (7 or 43) of the central cell. However, now you only move in one direction.

The same procedure is followed with the middle column, except that the numbers are decreased by n + 1 upwards, but increased downwards by n + 1. The result is shown for order n=7.

  • 49
    72543
    1
  • 41
    17
    49
    1331725431937
    1
    33
    9

Starting from the numbers in the middle row or column, the empty fields of the square are now filled diagonally according to the diagram. On the top right, the current number is always decreased by −n, on the other hand it is increased by n on the bottom left. Decreased by −n to the top left and increased by +1 to the bottom right.

Methode von Rallier des Ourmes

The following figure shows magic squares of orders n=7 and n=9 constructed by this method.

  • 2247164110354
    5234817421129
    3062449183612
    1331725431937
    3814321264420
    213983322745
    461540934328
  • 37782970216213545
    63879307122631446
    47739803172235515
    16488408132642456
    57174994173336525
    26581850142743466
    67275910512437535
    36681960115234476
    77286920611253445