Let us denote the cell in row i and column j by ai,j, where 1≤i,j≤5. Initially, ai,j=5(i−1)+j.
Each operation increases all numbers in a row or a column by 1. Suppose we perform ri operations on row i and cj operations on column j. Then the final value in cell (i,j) is:
ai,j′=ai,j+ri+cj
We want all ai,j′ to be equal. That is, for all i,j:
ai,j+ri+cj=K
for some constant K.
Rewriting:
ri+cj=K−ai,j
Consider two cells in the same row i, columns j and k:
ri+cj=K−ai,j
ri+ck=K−ai,k
Subtract:
cj−ck=ai,k−ai,j
But ai,k−ai,j=k−j (since ai,j=5(i−1)+j).
So cj−ck=k−j.
This means the sequence c1,c2,…,c5 must satisfy cj−ck=j−k for all j,k. This is only possible if cj=j+d for some constant d.
Similarly, consider two cells in the same column j, rows i and k:
ri+cj=K−ai,j
rk+cj=K−ak,j
Subtract:
ri−rk=ak,j−ai,j
But ak,j−ai,j=5(k−i).
So ri−rk=5(k−i), so ri=5i+e for some constant e.
Now, plug cj=j+d and ri=5i+e into the equation:
ri+cj=K−ai,j
But ai,j=5(i−1)+j, so
ri+cj=K−(5(i−1)+j)
(5i+e)+(j+d)=K−5(i−1)−j
5i+e+j+d=K−5i+5−j
5i+j+e+d+5i+j=K+5
Wait, this is inconsistent. Let's simplify:
Left: 5i+e+j+d
Right: K−5(i−1)−j
Bring all terms to one side:
5i+e+j+d+5(i−1)+j−K=0
But this is not matching. Let's try plugging ri=5i+e, cj=j+d into ri+cj=K−ai,j:
5i+e+j+d=K−(5(i−1)+j)
5i+e+j+d=K−5i+5−j
5i+e+j+d+5i+j−K−5=0
Wait, this is not matching. Let's try to solve for K:
Left: 5i+e+j+d
Right: K−5(i−1)−j
So:
5i+e+j+d=K−5(i−1)−j
5i+e+j+d+5(i−1)+j−K=0
5i+e+j+d+5i−5+j−K=0
10i+e+d+2j−5−K=0
K=10i+e+d+2j−5
But K must be constant for all i,j, which is only possible if the coefficients of i and j are zero, i.e., 10i+2j must be constant, which is impossible as i and j vary.
Therefore, it is not possible to make all the numbers in the grid equal by performing such operations.