Once again we bring you two articles which illustrate how wide Mathematics is. The first (from our prolific writer Peter Brown) deals with the fascinating oddity of magic squares (and some of the history of Mathematics), while the second article (by Bill McKee) deals with the very practical area of waves.
A Magic Square of order n is an arrangment of the numbers $1, 2, \ldots, n^2$ into a square array in which we get the same sum whenever we add the numbers in any row, column or diagonal.
A great many aspects of our lives involve waves of one sort or another. We speak to each other via sound waves, light and radio signals travel via electromagnetic waves.
SENIOR DIVISION
First prize: KUSILEK Jonathan, Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Q.1007 A student receives a mark out of 7 for each of the subjects English, Maths and Science. In how many ways can the student get a total mark of exactly 7; a total mark of at most 7; a total mark of exactly 16?
Q.1001 On the island described in question 2 of the Junior Division for this year’s mathematics competition, each town entered one Australian Rules football team in the national championship.