However you view it, it adds up to the same thing (5,6)
I believe the answer is:
magic square
'thing' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for magic square that I've seen before include "The sum's the same, however you look at it" , "Numerical two-dimensional matrix where the sum of all the rows (vertical, horizontal and diagonal) is the same" , "Matrix of numbers where all rows, columns and diagonals add up to the same total" .)