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Switch the Rule
Practice and check
Worked example
Check the cue before every calculation. The circle adds 2, the square subtracts 1, and the triangle doubles the number.
○: 3 + 2 = 5; □: 6 − 1 = 5; ○: 7 + 2 = 9; □: 4 − 1 = 3 → 5, 5, 9, 3
- Read one problem and its conditions before starting. Work without a timer, and keep the key visible where the task requires it.
- The rule belongs to the current symbol, not the previous item. If one answer differs, check the cue before repeating the arithmetic.
- The first two groups switch between two rules. The next two add a third rule; the last two use larger starting numbers.
Check answers after trying
1: 5, 5, 9, 3 2: 7, 7, 2, 11 3: 8, 6, 8, 6 4: 10, 10, 8, 12 5: 14, 16, 19, 11 6: 18, 20, 14, 19
Check the cue before every calculation. The circle adds 2, the square subtracts 1, and the triangle doubles the number.
Why this answer
- 1. ○: 3 + 2 = 5; □: 6 − 1 = 5; ○: 7 + 2 = 9; □: 4 − 1 = 3 → 5, 5, 9, 3
- 2. □: 8 − 1 = 7; ○: 5 + 2 = 7; □: 3 − 1 = 2; ○: 9 + 2 = 11 → 7, 7, 2, 11
- 3. △: 4 × 2 = 8; □: 7 − 1 = 6; ○: 6 + 2 = 8; △: 3 × 2 = 6 → 8, 6, 8, 6
- 4. ○: 8 + 2 = 10; △: 5 × 2 = 10; □: 9 − 1 = 8; △: 6 × 2 = 12 → 10, 10, 8, 12
- 5. □: 15 − 1 = 14; △: 8 × 2 = 16; ○: 17 + 2 = 19; □: 12 − 1 = 11 → 14, 16, 19, 11
- 6. △: 9 × 2 = 18; ○: 18 + 2 = 20; △: 7 × 2 = 14; □: 20 − 1 = 19 → 18, 20, 14, 19
- If an answer differs, return to the first step that differs and explain the choice. Change the answer after checking rather than guessing a new rule.
- Try the next step when the current method feels manageable. You may repeat a problem, use a paper marker, or stop and return later.
- Original practice activities, not a standardized test or IQ score. Steps describe the task, not an age or ability grade.
Tips for Parents
What is on the sheet For each item, use the operation beside its symbol in the key. The first two groups switch between two rules. The next two add a third rule; the last two use larger starting numbers. Original practice activities, not a standardized test or IQ score. Steps describe the task, not an age or ability grade. Try one example Check the cue before every calculation. The circle adds 2, the square subtracts 1, and the triangle doubles the number. ○: 3 + 2 = 5; □: 6 − 1 = 5; ○: 7 + 2 = 9; □: 4 − 1 = 3 → 5, 5, 9, 3. Read one problem and its conditions before starting. Work without a timer, and keep the key visible where the task requires it. Check a difficulty The rule belongs to the current symbol, not the previous item. If one answer differs, check the cue before repeating the arithmetic. If an answer differs, return to the first step that differs and explain the choice. Change the answer after checking rather than guessing a new rule. Choose the next step The first two groups switch between two rules. The next two add a third rule; the last two use larger starting numbers. Try the next step when the current method feels manageable. You may repeat a problem, use a paper marker, or stop and return later.
What This Worksheet Builds
Check the cue before every calculation. The circle adds 2, the square subtracts 1, and the triangle doubles the number. The rule belongs to the current symbol, not the previous item. If one answer differs, check the cue before repeating the arithmetic.
Next Step
The first two groups switch between two rules. The next two add a third rule; the last two use larger starting numbers. Try the next step when the current method feels manageable. You may repeat a problem, use a paper marker, or stop and return later.