Which rules would make this input-output pair true?

input
12
rule
Input Output Arrow
?
Input Output Arrow
output
7
Could be a rule for this input-output pair Could not be a rule for this input-output pair

1 answer

To determine the rules that could make the input-output pair true, let's analyze the relationship between the input (12) and the output (7).

A simple way to express this transformation is to look for a mathematical operation that can transform 12 into 7. Here are a few possible rules that could fit the input-output pair:

  1. Subtraction: One possible rule could be:

    • Output = Input - 5
    • Applying this rule: 12 - 5 = 7 (This rule works)
  2. Division and floor function: Another possible rule could be:

    • Output = Input / 2 (and take the floor of that value)
    • Applying this rule: 12 / 2 = 6 (This does not work.)
  3. Modulo operation:

    • A potential rule could be:
    • Output = Input % 10 + 2
    • Applying this rule: 12 % 10 + 2 = 2 + 2 = 4 (This does not work.)
  4. Custom Subtraction:

    • For this specific case, you might create a custom rule:
    • Output = 12 - (Input - 7)
    • In this case: Input would equal 12, yielding an output of: 12 - (12 - 7) = 7 (This rule works).

In conclusion, a rule that could make the input-output pair true is:

  • Output = Input - 5 (This works to produce 7 from 12).

Based on this analysis, here’s how you can categorize potential rules:

  • Could be a rule for this input-output pair: Output = Input - 5
  • Could not be a rule for this input-output pair: Many other arbitrary functions such as Output = Input / 2 or anything that wouldn't arrive at 7 from 12.

If you are looking for a binary categorization (true/false), then the first rule would be true, while other functions that do not yield 7 from the input of 12 would be false.