MATH IN GAMES In Spain it is very typical to play cards. In fact, we have our own deck, the “Spanish deck”. From old people to children, they play different card games. And it is very common for grandparents to teach their grandchildren. One of those card games calls “SEVEN AND A HALF”. The instructions are very simple: you have to sum 7 and a half, combining your cards and those on the table. Each card has its value, except for the figures that have the value: 0.5 each. I mean:
Ace = 1
2= 2
6=6
7=7
3=3
Jack = 0.5
4=4
Horse = 0.5
5=5
King = 0.5
Now that we know the rules we propose the following challenge: With these cards on the table:
and these cards in my hand:
How many different ways can we get “7 and a half�, if you can use only one of the cards in your hand, and all the cards as you wish on the table?