Missing numbers
Students find the highlighted missing value in a balanced 3 by 3 square.
Free maths practice app
Magic squares practice app
A quick classroom-ready app for completing missing numbers in 3 by 3 magic squares using equal row, column and diagonal totals.
Magic sums
Every row, column and diagonal shares the same total, so students have a clear checking rule.
Reasoning practice
Students choose a helpful row, column or diagonal instead of guessing the blank number.
Three levels
Beginner starts with classic 1 to 9 squares, then standard and challenge add shifted values and extra blanks.
What students practise
The app gives students short magic-square puzzles where they use a known total and visible cells to work out a missing number.
- reading a 3 by 3 magic square
- using rows, columns and diagonals to find equal totals
- subtracting visible values from the magic sum
- checking that the completed square still balances
- reasoning through extra blanks in challenge mode
How it fits a lesson
Use it after modelling one magic square on the board, during rotations, as a number-reasoning warm-up, or as extension practice after missing-number work.
- start with beginner when students are learning the magic-sum rule
- use standard when students can subtract from a target total confidently
- use challenge when students are ready to ignore distracting blanks and choose a useful line
- ask students to explain which row, column or diagonal they used
Why it helps
Magic squares make missing-number work more purposeful because students need to inspect the structure of the square before calculating.
- builds flexible missing-number strategies
- connects addition and subtraction through a target total
- supports mathematical reasoning and explanation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the magic squares app free?
Yes. Students, teachers and families can open the magic squares app in a browser for free.
What size magic squares are included?
The first version uses 3 by 3 magic squares so students can focus on the row, column and diagonal total rule.
Can teachers choose the difficulty?
Yes. Beginner, standard and challenge levels change the number range and the number of hidden cells.
Does it show the answer after each question?
Yes. The app checks the typed answer, shows the correct value and explains a row, column or diagonal that can be used to solve it.