Three squares
On three identical square cards I wrote 3 脳 3 magic squares (where the sums of each row, column and major diagonal are equal) using the numbers 1 to 9 on the first, 10 to 18 on the second and 19 to 27 on the third. I formed them into a sandwich in some order. I then found that I could push a pin through the cards so that it passed through three multiples of three. Furthermore, writing the three numbers in order along the pin gave a five-figure perfect square. One number on the middle card was sandwiched between two perfect squares on the other cards. Which number?
WIN 拢15 will be awarded to the sender of the first correct answer opened on Wednesday 2 June. The Editor鈥檚 decision is final. Please send entries to Enigma 1593, 快猫短视频, Lacon House, 84 Theobald鈥檚 Road, London WC1X 8NS, or to enigma@newscientist.com (please include your postal address).
Answer to 1587 Deja vu: The number is 9
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The winner Dean Witter III of Woodside, California, US