Introducing $n$-Magic Groups and Characterizing $3$-Magic Finitely Generated Abelian Groups

Abstract

In this paper, we define an $n$-magic square in a group to be an $(n\times n)$ array of group elements whose rows, columns, and diagonals have the same product. This definition is akin to the idea of magic squares in the integers. Groups that have an $n$-magic square are said to be $n$-magic. We begin with some preliminary results and focus much of our attention on $3$-magic groups. Through a series of propositions, we ultimately prove a characterization theorem for $3$-magic finitely generated abelian groups. We then discuss some additional results about non-abelian groups as well as $n$-magic groups where $n>3$.