What's My Rule? Function Machine Game: Input/Output Tables, y = mx + b and Exponents

A mystery rule machine for your smartboard. Students call out numbers to feed into the machine, watch every input and output build a table of the last 10, and crack the rule by writing it as an equation like 2x + 3 = y.

Grades 6–8 and Algebra 1. No student logins, works in any browser, plays on one shared screen.

Four levels

• Easy: rules like y = 3x + 4
• Medium: negative constants, like y = 7x − 6
• Hard: negative slopes, like y = −4x + 15
• Extreme: exponents, like y = 2x² − 3x + 1 or y = −x³ + 5

What makes it work in class

• The rule stays the same until you press New rule, so students can test as many inputs as they want.
• Any equivalent answer is marked correct: 2x + 3 = y, y = 2x + 3, 3 + 2x = y or 2(x + 1) + 1 = y.
• A wrong guess points to a row in the table it doesn't match, so students can fix their thinking.
• A Teacher: reveal button shows the current rule when you need it.

Standards: OAS 6.A.1.2–3, PA.A.2.1–2.2 · Common Core 6.EE.C.9, 8.F.A.3, 8.F.B.4, HSF-BF.A.1

Includes: the game file (What's My Rule.html) and a one-page Quick Start guide. Single-teacher license.

Try the free demo at fletchersmath.store.