Small practice
brighter futures.
Checking sign-in status
Menu

Function table practice

Input-output word problems

Start with six rule tables, then use one complete table from a school, sticker or ticket situation to answer four connected questions.

Ready-made English PDF · fixed settings

Worksheet · LetterWorksheet · A4
Customize worksheet ↓
With answer key

Customization below makes a separate PDF.

First page of the input-output word problems printable worksheetOpen full-size sample (first page)

Fixed English ready-made files. Custom settings below apply only to the configured PDF.

Ready to print

Start with a ready-made worksheet

Complete six given-rule tables. Read the shared situation and its complete six-pair table, then answer a forward lookup, an inverse lookup, a change question and a rule-choice question.

Download the practice pages alone, or include a separate answer key or teacher model. Longer activities may use more than one page.

US Letter

Student worksheetWorksheet with answers

A4

Student worksheetWorksheet with answers
Customize this worksheet

Paper sizes and printing help · More function table activities

One relationship, several pairs

Match each input with its output before calculating. A rule applies to every pair in the same table; it does not describe the gaps between consecutive inputs.

The preview shows the first student page. Downloads include every practice page; the version with answers adds a separate key with the same table positions. Longer notes or translated instructions may add pages.

Learning objective

What this activity builds

Interpret a constant change in context, read a table in both directions and distinguish the rule from a single result.

Worked example

A library adds 4 books to each display. One row shows 9 books before and 13 after. If a display has 18 books afterward, how many were there before?

14 books

The forward rule adds four. To recover a starting amount from the final amount, subtract four: 18 − 4 = 14. Check the matching row in the table.

Teaching notes

Make the practice count

  • The chosen operation and constants apply to the contextual table as well as the six practice tables.
  • Read the two column headings before answering. A question about the starting quantity calls for the input, even when the output is mentioned first.
  • Keep units in a spoken answer so the number remains connected to the story.
  • Compare every rule choice with all six pairs. A choice must describe the forward direction from the first column to the second.

Make it yours

Customize the practice

Choose your options, update the preview, then download the exact same pages.

Worksheet settings

Rule numbers
Page note and reproducible seed

The same settings and seed make the same questions. Shared links include your page note; leave personal information out. Notes use the selected language’s supported characters; English accepts basic Latin text.

Configured PDF · Input-output box word problems · US Letter

Preview ready. Download includes these exact pages.

1 student page
Enlarged pages scroll. PDF size stays the same.
Math SheetNameScore/ 28TeacherDateInput-output box word problemsComplete the rule tables, then answer four questions about one context.Use the rule to fill every empty output.1. Rule: Add 3InputOutput1720232. Rule: Subtract 4InputOutput81018273. Rule: Add 1InputOutput0428294. Rule: Subtract 2InputOutput91823255. Rule: Add 5Input092529Output6. Rule: Subtract 1Input4102427OutputA club records sticker totals before and after a trade.Before4820212829After812242532337. When Before is 8, what is After?8. When After is 24, what was Before?9. What constant change takes Before to After?10. Which rule describes every pair?A. Subtract 4B. Add 4C. Subtract 5D. Add 5math-sheet.comPage 1 of 1

A useful next step

Related activities

Printable addition and subtraction in-out boxes worksheet preview

Function table

Addition and subtraction in-out boxes

Apply a given addition or subtraction rule, then infer a hidden rule from three complete pairs. Fourteen tables mix vertical and horizontal layouts.

Preview and download
Printable multiplication and division in-out boxes worksheet preview

Function table

Multiplication and division in-out boxes

Apply and identify exact multiplication or division rules across fourteen tables. Choose factors and divisors from 2 through 12.

Preview and download
Printable fact families with both addends selected worksheet preview

Fact family

Fact families with both addends selected

Choose at least three addends from 1–12 and use only those choices for both parts of six addition and subtraction triangles.

Preview and download