Magic Polygon Puzzle Collection
Can you arrange the numbers in these magic polygon puzzles so that each side of the polygon (or line in the shape) has the same sum?
What is a Magic Polygon Puzzle?
A Magic Polygon Puzzle is a logic puzzle that challenges students to place numbers around the vertices and sides of a polygon so that the totals along each side all add up to the same value—the magic sum.
In a Magic Polygon Puzzle, every number must be used exactly once, and no guessing is required; the puzzle can be solved through careful reasoning and elimination. As solvers test possibilities, they begin to notice patterns and constraints that guide them toward the correct arrangement.
Magic Polygon Puzzles are especially effective for building number sense, encouraging strategic thinking, and giving students meaningful practice with addition in an engaging, low-pressure way.
Common Types of Magic Polygons
Common types of magic polygon puzzles are usually named for the shape being used and vary by both complexity and number of values involved.
Magic triangles are the most familiar and beginner-friendly, often used to introduce the concept of a shared magic sum.
Magic squares and magic pentagons increase the challenge by adding more sides and more numbers to track, requiring deeper logical reasoning.
Some versions place numbers only at the vertices, while others include numbers along the edges or at the center, adding additional constraints.
There are also themed variations that use consecutive numbers, larger ranges, or missing values, making magic polygon puzzles easy to adapt for different grade levels and learning goals.
Magic Polygon Puzzles
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
