Discover the Rule

[JoyRose]

Let's play a game I'll call Discover THE Rule. It's based on an Icehouse game called Zendo.

The object of the game is to use logic to Discover the Rule of the Post. Rules can describe colors used or figures (numbers or letters) used in the post. Or the rules can describe what is NOT used. More complex rules can define the order of elements or groups of elements (like must include any odd number).  

[JoyRose]

A Sample Rule could be "The post contains exactly one red number." My first move is to show you two posts, one which follows the Rule ( 3nodding ), and one which does not follow the Rule ( ninja ). For instance:

JoyRose

1 2 3 4 3nodding (See, one red number, in this case a 2)
5 6 7 8 ninja (See, no red numbers)

A Sample Reply could be:

Player

1 2 3 4

to which I would respond ninja because there are no red numbers to follow my Rule. Or:

Player

1 2 4 0

to which I would respond 3nodding because it has exactly one red number, in this case the one.  

[JoyRose]

A correct guess of the Rule would obviously match what I wrote above. Here is how an incorrect guess would be handled. If an existing post disproves it, I will post the guess with directions to the disproving post (page 3, post 12). Suppose, however, a valid guess was made, such as

Player

The post must contain exactly one green 4.

I would respond by posting the guess and something new that disproves it, such as:

JoyRose

4 6 9 ninja (see this post has exactly one green 4, but does not follow my Rule)

or

JoyRose

4 1 6 9 3nodding (see, this post does not have a green 4 but still follows my Rule)

When making a guess, be careful of these words:

Exactly/At Least - Avoid using indefinite statements like "contains a red number", or "contains two capital letters", because it's not clear whether you mean exactly that number, or at least that number. Always use definite statements like "contains exactly one red number", or "contains at least two capital letters".

Majority/Plurality - When there are more red figures in a post than any other color, the post contains a "plurality" of red figures. When there are more red figures in a post than all the other colors put together, the post contains a "majority" of red figures. Many people use the word "majority" when they mean "plurality". Be careful to use the correct term in your Statement of the Rule.  

[JoyRose]

Prizes: First person to post the correct Rule here wins a little gold (500,000,000g). I will at that point start a new puzzle and list the winner here. ANYONE may play, including mules and elves.

WINNERS!

1. delphine17 deduced the rule: Contains exactly one 3.
   
2. Esme Marie Cullen deduced the rule: Contains exactly one blue number.
   
3. Esme Marie Cullen deduced the rule: Odd numbers are red.
   
4. Esme Marie Cullen deduced the rule: A minimum of 2 sequential limegreen numbers