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EXPLORE OTHER 'MATHEMATICIANS' STORIES HERE

BEN FRANKLIN AND THE MAGIC SQUARES
​Author: Frank Murphy  
​Illustrator: Richard Walz

Number of pages: 44
Publisher: Random House (USA)
First published in: 2001
Format: Picturebook

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (Step into Reading Math)

Click here to preview and/or purchase this book via the Amazon (UK) website ​

Synopsis by the author/publisher
A funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions, including the story of how he created the "magic square." A magic square is a box of nine numbers arranged so that any line of three numbers adds up to the same number, including on the diagonal! Teachers and kids will love finding out about this popular teaching tool that is still used in elementary schools today!​

“Ben noticed something! When he added the numbers in the first row, they equaled 15. When he added the numbers in the first column, they equaled 15 as well.”

Recommended age range: 
8+ years old 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Addition & Subtraction; Mathematicians​
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​Possible teaching activities:
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