Recommender Rules: Pick One Book From a Like Table
How does an app guess what you'll like next? Write the rule yourself and test it.
By the end of this lesson you will have — one recommendation rule, with a tie-break rule, that picks exactly one book for a new reader from a like table
What you'll show at the end: A screenshot of your like table (5 readers × 6 books), your one-sentence rule with its tie-break rule, and the one book it picks for the new reader.
Google Sheets
Under 13? Use a parent's account, with your parent sitting next to you.
Follow these steps
- Open Google Sheets (under 13: a parent's account or a Family Link account your parent set up, with your parent next to you) and start a blank sheet. Type the practice like table from this page: the 6 books across row 1 (from column B), the 5 readers in rows 2 to 6, and 1 for liked or 0 for did not like. Put the new reader in row 7: they have read only the first 3 books, so leave the other 3 cells empty.
- In the Say box, write your recommendation rule in one sentence (for example: find the reader who agrees with the new reader most, and pick a book that reader liked). Add a tie-break rule in case two books are left (for example: pick the one more readers liked in the whole table). Before you count anything, write in the Predict box which book your rule will pick, then lock it.
- In column H, count how many of the first 3 books each reader agrees on with the new reader (or type =(B2=B$7)+(C2=C$7)+(D2=D$7) in H2 and copy it down to H6). Follow your rule step by step. If it gets stuck between two books, use your tie-break rule. Write the one book it picks. Take a screenshot of your table.
- Stuck or curious? Copy the question from the box next to these steps into the AI you're allowed to use (under 13: a parent's account, with your parent). Fill in the [ ] parts with your table and your rule, and compare its pick with yours. No AI? Read the sample answer on this page instead.
Free tools for this lesson
Starting fresh? Use this practice table. The readers and books are made up, not real. Columns: Reader, Moon Library, Robot Chef, Dragon Math, Deep Sea Detective, Soccer Ghost, Time Bus. Ari: 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0. Bo: 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0. Cy: 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1. Dee: 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1. Eli: 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1. New reader: 1, 0, 1, then 3 empty cells (not read yet).
anthropic.com/learn — AI Fluency: Framework and Foundations, Description and Discernment (adapted for Grades 6–7)