Guess My Rule

The object of the game is to guess the rule for the Function Machines by looking at the patterns in the table. This game is for two players.


Materials

  • A table to record the input and output numbers
  • Calculators, optional

Directions

  1. One player is the Function Machine. This player thinks of a rule and writes it on a piece of paper, but does not tell it to the other player.
  2. The other player is the Function Guesser. The Function Guesser gives the Function Machine an input number and the Function Machine tells the output number.
  3. Record the input and output numbers in your table.
  4. Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until the Function Guesser is able to correctly guess the rule.
  5. In the next round, players exchange roles.

Variation

If there are more than two players, there can be more than one Function Guesser. The Function Guessers can take turns suggesting input numbers. A Guesser can make one guess describing the rule during his or her turn. The first Guesser to correctly guess the rule is the winner and becomes the Function Machine in the next round.