Determining Function Machine Rule (+ - x) Worksheet Download
This worksheet shows input and output values from a function machine and asks for the single-operation rule that turns each input into its output. The rules here are limited to addition, subtraction and multiplication, with no division, which matches what the grade 3 standard asks for: patterns involving addition, subtraction, or multiplication. The version that also includes division suits a later grade. The three operations are dealt out evenly across the page, and online the rule menu offers only those three, so a student is never choosing from an operation the sheet never uses.
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Determining Function Machine Rule (+ - x)
Students look at input and output values from a function machine and figure out the rule using addition, subtraction, or multiplication.
About this worksheet
Students look at input and output values from a function machine and figure out the rule using addition, subtraction, or multiplication.
Student objectives
- Find the rule that turns each input number into its output number
- Test whether a rule uses adding, subtracting, or multiplying
- Check a rule by applying it to all the numbers in the table
- Recognize patterns between pairs of numbers
Everyday practice
- Figure out the pattern when a store adds the same shipping cost to every price
- Work out how many points you score per level if each round adds the same amount
- Guess a friend's number trick by watching what comes out each time
- Spot how much taller a plant grows each week from a growth chart