Magical Matrix Puzzle

Puzzle on Magical Matrix

This is a puzzle in the magical matrix. Satyam and Ankit, two pals, decide to play a game.

Premise – They have 9 cards with the numbers 1 to 9 inscribed on them, all of which are face up. They must begin picking up these cards in a random order, with no replacements.

Rules – The game is won by the player who has exactly three cards that total up to 15. Satyam is allowed to choose a card first.

Objective – Is there a winning strategy at Satyam?

Puzzle on Magical Matrix


Answer – No, we can see that there are eight subsets of 1,9, resulting in a total of 15.

{1, 5, 9}, {2, 8, 5}, {3, 5, 7}, {4, 5, 6}, {1, 6, 8}, {2, 4, 9}, {2, 7, 6} and {3, 8, 4} are the numbers.

  • We can try to create a magic square that can deduce all conceivable combinations that add up to 15.
  • Each row, column, and diagonal amounts to 15 in this example. These rows, columns, and diagonals indicate all of the various ways to get the number fifteen.
  • It’s as if we’re playing Tic-Tac-Toe on the magic square. We also understand that no one can guarantee victory in this game. We can, at most, devise a strategy for not losing the game. 

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