# Confusing MAT Problem

Open the link given above and see the question mark. Please fill in the question mark. There is a pattern either row wise or column wise. If someone wants the options, they are posted below: (A)14 (B)15 (C)16 (D)17

Note by Vinayak Verma
6 years, 1 month ago

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As stated, this is not a magic square. But assuming it's one of those "brain "teaser" tests", here's a solution that I see perfectly valid while not helping you at all:

The third number in each row is the minimum of the other two numbers in the row, multiplied by their sum.

By this, the question mark is either $64$ or $\dfrac{-1-3\sqrt{29}}{2}$. Neither is among the given choices.

The above simply states that doing such questions just wastes your time, because there are infinitely many interpretations possible, and a bunch of "plausible" interpretations.

- 6 years, 1 month ago

Thank you Ivan for correcting me! The same question appeared in an examination which I gave. Can you come up with a solution among the four options?

- 6 years, 1 month ago

This is not a magic square ! The sum of the numbers in each column and row must be same in a Magic square

- 6 years, 1 month ago

Thank You for correcting my knowledge about the magic squares. Well, did you come up with any more answers?

- 6 years, 1 month ago

$8+2 + 10 = 20$

$4+6+ 30 = 40$

$x+1+ 50 = 65$

we end up $x=14$

- 6 years, 1 month ago

I think you are somewhat correct as you got the most possibly correct answer. Thanks a ton. Cheers!

- 6 years, 1 month ago

Well guys, I think Rashmi gave the most accurate answer of this problem. Thanks a lot Rashmi. Nice try Ivan, Bhargav and Likhita!

- 6 years, 1 month ago

i got 64 without the the options

- 6 years, 1 month ago

In the examination, the options enlisted were only these. I am sure the answer is one of the above options which I gave. Thank You for giving an answer. Can you provide a solution also?

- 6 years, 1 month ago

I think the logic used here ,to get one of the options given as the answer is: $20 - (8 \times 2)=4=2^{2}$ $40 - (4 \times 6)=16=4^{2}$. That is, the above pattern is followed to get a perfect square. So,putting the various values we get,$16$ as our required answer as $65 - (1 \times 16)=49=7^{2}$, which is a perfect square. Hope that helps!

- 6 years, 1 month ago

I tried this logic of yours many a times but I don't think it is the most accurate answer. Nonetheless, nice try Bhargav. I think Rashmi gave the most accurate answer. Go check hers!

- 6 years, 1 month ago