Whats My Rule Worksheet
“What’s My Rule?”
Find the rule, follow the pattern, and work backward to find missing numbers.
Name:
Date:
1 Find the Outputs
Rule
+ 7
in
out
6
9
15
24
38
2 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
14
8
19
13
23
17
28
22
35
29
3 Work Backward
Rule
− 4
in
out
11
12
18
25
32
4 Work Backward
Rule
+ 8
in
out
5
20
14
31
40
5 Make up your own.
Rule
in
out
Rule Detective Challenge:
If the rule is + 10 and the out is 35, what was the in?
in = Hint: Do the opposite!
“What’s My Rule?” Side B
Practice finding rules, completing tables, and working backward.
Name:
6 Find the Outputs
Rule
− 6
in
out
15
21
28
34
42
7 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
4
13
8
17
15
24
23
32
31
40
8 Work Backward
Rule
− 8
in
out
17
14
25
21
40
9 Work Backward
Rule
+ 6
in
out
8
19
17
28
35
10 Make up your own.
Rule
in
out
Rule Detective Challenge:
A number went into the machine. The rule was − 9, and the out was 16.
in = Equation: ___ − 9 = 16
“What’s My Rule?” Side C • Multiply & Divide
Discover multiplication and division rules, fill missing values, and work backward.
Name:
11 Find the Outputs
Rule
× 4
in
out
3
5
7
9
12
12 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
2
12
4
24
5
30
8
48
10
60
13 Work Backward
Rule
÷ 3
in
out
15
7
27
11
36
14 Work Backward
Rule
× 5
in
out
4
35
8
55
60
15 Make up your own.
Rule
in
out
Rule Detective Challenge:
If the rule is × 8 and the out is 56, what was the in?
in = Hint: 56 ÷ 8 = ___
“What’s My Rule?” Side D • Mystery Operations
Test your skills across all four operations (+, −, ×, ÷) and larger numbers.
Name:
16 Find the Outputs
Rule
+ 25
in
out
15
30
48
75
110
17 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
50
32
65
47
78
60
92
74
120
102
18 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
32
4
40
5
56
7
72
9
80
10
19 Work Backward
Rule
− 15
in
out
28
25
52
60
100
20 Make up your own.
Rule
in
out
Multiple Rule Detective:
In a mystery machine, an in of 9 gives an out of 81. Write two different rules that could work:
Rule 1: Rule 2:
“What’s My Rule?” Side E • Challenge Round
Tackle two-step rules, real-world patterns, and master-level detective puzzles.
Name:
21 Two-Step Rule
Rule
× 2 + 1
in
out
3
5
8
10
14
22 Two-Step Rule
Rule
× 3 − 2
in
out
2
4
6
9
11
23 Find the Rule
Rule
in
out
1
7
2
9
4
13
6
17
10
25
24 Real-World Pattern
Rule
× 4 tires
cars (in)
tires (out)
3
24
8
44
15
25 Make up your own.
Rule
in
out
Grand Master Detective Challenge:
If the rule is × 2 + 5 and the out is 31, what was the in?
in = Hint: Work backward step-by-step!
