How Do I Run This Applet?

This activity allows the user to explore simple linear functions; the function is determined by looking for patterns in the outputs. The functions available for exploration in the function machine activity have the following form:

where the underlines can be any integers between 0 and 10.

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Object of the Game

A randomly selected "function machine" takes a number and produces another number according to a rule (a function). The goal of the game is to guess the rule. Possible rules in the game are: Y=N*X+K, where N and K are a randomly selected whole numbers from 0 to 10

Controls

As an example, we use function Y = X + 2

• To find out what the machine will do with a number:
  • Type the number into the X= [____] space (in our example, number 5 is typed in):
    

  • Press the Enter button:
    

  • Observe the resulting number in the Y= [____] window (in our example, number 7 is the result):
    

  • You can input as many numbers as you need to find the rule
• To check if you guessed the rule right, type numbers in the               Y = [___]*X + [___] spaces, and then press the Check formula button. You will see one of the two messages under the picture of the machine: either Correct answer! or Try again!
• To set a new function machine (that is, a new rule), click once on the Set new function button: