Guess My Rule

The object of the game is to guess the rule another person has selected. This is a game for two or more players.

Materials

• Guess My Rule Machine page (a copy for every time the game is played)

Directions

1. Player 1 creates a rule and keeps it a secret. Examples of rules are: add 10, add 2, or subtract 1.
2. Player 2 thinks of a small number and writes it in the Input column.
3. Player 1 tells the result of what happens to the number after it is put it in the Guess My Rule Machine and then writes the resulting number in the Output column.
4. Play continues until Player 2 is ready to guess the rule and explain why that rule was guessed.
5. If the answer was correct, Player 2 writes the rule at the top of the Guess My Rule Machine table.
6. Players switch roles, with Player 2 creating the rule and Player 1 guessing the rule.

Variation

One player can start by telling the rule and alternate between giving the input or output, leaving the other column blank. For example, Player 1 tells the rule “add one” and fills in 7 in the output column. Player 2 determines that the input is 6. Or, Player 1 could fill in 8 in the input column. Player 2 determines the output is 9.