An n-pointed magic star is a star polygon with Schläfli symbol {n/2}[1] in which numbers are placed at each of the n vertices and n intersections, such that the four numbers on each line sum to the same magic constant.[2] A normal magic star contains the integers from 1 to 2n with no numbers repeated.[3] The magic constant of an n-pointed normal magic star is M = 4n + 2.
No star polygons with fewer than 5 points exist, and the construction of a normal 5-pointed magic star turns out to be impossible. It can be proven that there exists no 4-pointed star that will satisfy the conditions here. The smallest examples of normal magic stars are therefore 6-pointed. Some examples are given below. Notice that for specific values of n, the n-pointed magic stars are also known as magic hexagrams (n = 6), magic heptagrams (n = 7), etc.
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| Magic hexagram M = 26 |
Magic heptagram M = 30 |
Magic octagram M = 34 |
The number of distinct normal magic stars of type {n/2} for n up to 15 is,
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Weisstein, Eric W. "Star Polygon". MathWorld.
- ^ Staszkow, Ronald (2003-05-01). Math Skills: Arithmetic with Introductory Algebra and Geometry. Kendall Hunt. p. 374. ISBN 9780787292966.
magic star math.
- ^ "Magic Stars Index Page". www.magic-squares.net. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
External links
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