Step 1:
In the first step, I knew that the three highest numbers in the set could not be in the same row/column as this would likely lead to the sum of the rows/columns to exceed 15. Therefore, I placed them in the diagonal so that they do no overlap.
Step 2:
In the next step, I tried putting the next three numbers (4,5,6) in just different columns. As we see however, is the 2nd row now adds to 18 which exceeds our 15 limit.
Step 3:
I then tried to put the next three numbers in different rows. However, we now see a flip of the previous step, where the 2nd column now adds up to 18.
Step 4:
There isn't much logical explanation to this step other than - I tried a few different combinations of where 4,5,6 were placed and there was no column or row that summed beyond 15.
Step 5:
The last step, was to just add the appropriate number (1,2,3) to the row that needed to get the sum up to 15. For example, placing 2 in the first row rounded out Row 1 and Column 3 to sum up to 15.
Final Solution
Good explanation of process, and your magic square works fine on the rows and the columns! But the diagonals? Back to the old drawing board... or have a listen to ideas that come up in class! Good work.
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