MATH IS MATH

The Parr family is playing a game of Perfect Pars. Perfect Pars is a card game — a super card game — which involves working together to reach a specific par value.

Every card has a suit representing one of the four basic operations [ + - × ÷ ] and an associated value. In a normal card game, this associated value would just be the number printed on the card. But this is a super card game! So instead, the value of a card is its printed number… raised to the exponential (super) power printed on that card. There are 5 super powers, each with a unique value from 1 - 5:

Each round, Helen declares a par value and plays a starting card from her hand. Each family member then plays a card from their hand, in turn, updating the current round’s value. After all four cards are played, if the round’s value is equal to the par value, the round is a success! Each round is distinct and begins anew.

Now, here’s the problem. Bob got distracted by Jack-Jack and missed the part where Helen declared each super power’s power level. Bob is too scared to ask her to repeat, so can you help Bob figure out which cards he should play in each round to win the game? Here’s Bob’s hand:


“Let’s start easy with a par six. Even Jack Jack could do this! Which card are you playing, honey?”


“Don’t be ridiculous, Mom. This game isn’t that easy. It takes real thinking, but little Jack Jack’s just a baby.”


“Pfft, of course you would be struggling, Sis! This game is easy!”

“Grr, like you’re so good at math, you little brat!”


“Now, now, kids. Settle down. Remember, this is a cooperative, family bonding activity. We’re supposed to be working together, not against each other.”

“That’s right, kids, listen to your Dad. Let’s play nice and help each other out. It’s okay to struggle or need help, even as supers. In some ways, this game is even a reflection of our own lives. If we all combine our unique powers and strive towards a common goal, we will succeed.”


In the final round, Helen smiles and plays her final card: a two of Electrokinesis spades. “Par fifty thousand,” she declares.

To everyone’s amazement, as Bob plays the last card, the value exactly reaches fifty thousand.

“What a game!” He exclaims. Excitedly, he reaches for an index card and jots down a few words. “And I just had an idea for what we can add to make this game even better!”